Full fibre

The vast majority of properties in Scotland, both urban and rural, have what is known as ‘partial fibre’ broadband. This means there’s fibre from the exchange to the cabinet in the street and then copper between the cabinet and nearby properties. But many rural properties have ‘exchange only’ lines, meaning copper runs all the way from the exchange to the property. 

Full fibre is when the connection from the exchange to the inside of your property is a fibre optic cable. This enables you to receive any speed of broadband up to 1,000Mbps (1 Gigabit per second). And full fibre is future-proofed for even faster speeds.

Fixed wireless

Fixed wireless broadband is an outdoor wireless network, just like WiFi in your home but over greater distances, from a few hundred metres to many kilometres. 

Fixed wireless broadband can deliver a one-to-one connection between two buildings or structures (for example, from a farmhouse to a farm office) or a one-to-many network connecting dozens of homes from a single transmitter. 

Common speeds for fixed wireless networks range between 30Mbps and 100Mbps. However, they are capable of much faster speeds over considerable distances, and Gigabit speeds over short distances of around 300 metres as a one-to-many network.

Fixed Mobile

Fixed mobile is a method of getting internet access using one of the UK’s four mobile networks (EE, Vodafone, O2 and Three) or from the many virtual mobile operators (listed here) that use one of the four main networks.

Instead of using your mobile phone as a temporary ‘hot spot’ for connecting laptops or TVs, you install a special WiFi router with a mobile SIM card in it, and an external aerial in a suitable location outdoors.

Satellite

Satellite broadband or satellite internet access uses a dish on your home to connect to communications satellites in space, just like a dish for Freesat or Sky television.

Until recently, satellite broadband offerings have been slow and limited. Something called ‘latency’ makes everyday internet activities like video calls and online gaming problematic. This is due to the delays in sending your information up to space and back again.

However, recent advances in satellite technology make it capable of faster internet connections.

Broadband standards

All registered suppliers on the R100 programme must agree to the following standard terms:

• The connection delivered to your address will provide superfast broadband speeds of at least 30Mbps
• The service must be affordable, costing you no more than £46.10 per month – this is the same monthly cost as services delivered through the UK Government’s Universal Service Obligation (USO)
• There is no prohibitive data cap
• If the current speed is between 15Mbps and 30Mbps, then the current speed should double