Rural broadband refers to high-speed internet specifically designed for communities in remote or hard-to-reach areas: places where traditional broadband infrastructure has often lagged behind.
Rather than relying on ageing copper lines, modern rural broadband uses technologies like full fibre, fixed wireless, and digital voice services to give rural homes, farms, and businesses the fast and stable connectivity they need.
Wildanet is focused on improving connectivity in Cornwall and Devon, delivering future-ready broadband and making a real difference to communities that have traditionally been underserved.
Why rural broadband matters
Reliable rural broadband is essential for modern life, supporting work, education, entertainment, communication and digital services. In rural areas, this makes an especially big difference.
With fast and reliable rural broadband, people can:
- Work remotely or run online businesses
- Stream and download without buffering
Support smart home and farming technology - Access online learning and digital tools
- Use essential digital services such as virtual GP appointments
As more services and activities move online, with remote teams, high-quality rural broadband is no longer a luxury: it’s simply a necessity.
Why rural broadband matters
The right rural broadband technology depends on local infrastructure, but in most cases Full Fibre (FTTP) is considered the best rural broadband solution because of its speed, stability and long-term reliability.
Below are the main technologies used in rural broadband today:
Full Fibre (FTTP) – the best rural broadband option
Full Fibre uses fibre-optic cables from the exchange directly to your home, providing:
- Ultrafast speeds, including up to 2Gbps in parts of Cornwall with Wildanet’s 2Gig Ultra Full Fibre package
- Excellent reliability, unaffected by distance
- Low latency for video calls, cloud services and gaming
Future-proof capacity to support growing data demands
Wildanet delivers a growing full-fibre network across Cornwall & Devon, improving connectivity in rural areas where major providers often overlook investment.
You can explore available packages on the Home Broadband and Rural Broadband pages.
Fixed wireless and mobile broadband
These solutions deliver broadband using wireless signals or 4G/5G mobile networks and are useful where fibre is still rolling out.
Pros:
- Quick to deploy
- Works well in certain rural layouts
Cons:
- Affected by terrain and weather
- Can slow down at busy times
Our team at Wildanet has experience delivering wireless connectivity to hard-to-reach properties, though full fibre is now the long-term priority.
Satellite broadband
Satellite broadband can serve extremely remote premises that can’t currently receive fibre or wireless connectivity. However, latency and weather sensitivity mean it’s generally considered a last resort compared with full fibre.
Wildanet is closing the digital divide with rural broadband
At Wildanet, we’re all about closing the digital divide. By rolling out Full Fibre broadband to rural communities, we’re helping make sure that more people can access high-quality services and the benefits the rest of the UK enjoys. Thanks to projects like Project Gigabit, we’re expanding high-speed broadband across Cornwall and the South West.
How Wildanet is improving rural broadband locally
Wildanet specialises in rural connectivity and has committed to bringing fast, reliable broadband to communities across Cornwall and Devon.
A rural-first full fibre network
Rather than prioritising large towns and cities, Wildanet builds networks where they’re needed most: focusing on hard-to-reach homes and rural landscapes.
Ultrafast speeds now available
In some areas, residents can access 2Gig Ultra Full Fibre with download speeds up to 2Gbps – one of the fastest residential services in the region.
Straightforward installation
We explain the installation process clearly in our guide: What to Expect During Your Full Fibre Broadband Installation.
Check availability instantly
Use the Wildanet postcode checker to see what rural broadband solutions are currently available where you live.
Rural broadband and the copper switch-off
The UK’s copper-based phone network (PSTN) is being retired, with full switch-off expected in January 2027.
This is particularly important for rural communities still relying on copper and ADSL.
Upgrading to full fibre ensures:
- No service disruption when copper lines are withdrawn
- Improved reliability and speed immediately
- Compatibility with modern digital phone services
Explore further guidance through:
FAQs: Rural Broadband Solutions
High-speed internet designed for homes and businesses in rural or remote locations, typically using full fibre or fixed wireless instead of copper lines.
Full fibre (FTTP) is widely considered the best rural broadband due to its speed, low latency and reliability. Wildanet delivers full fibre across Cornwall & Devon, including speeds up to 2Gbps.
Many rural communities in Cornwall and Devon are included in Project Gigabit, meaning new gigabit-capable infrastructure is being built. Check availability locally using our postcode checker.
Copper-based services will be withdrawn by January 2027. Upgrading to full fibre ensures uninterrupted service and better performance.
Use Wildanet’s availability checker to see what’s available now or coming soon.
Ready to upgrade your rural broadband?
Do you live in a rural area and struggle with consistent or high-speed broadband solutions? Wildanet is constantly expanding its network, which means more communities are gaining access to faster and more reliable solutions for home and business broadband.
Check out our postcode checker today to see if Full Fibre broadband is available in your area, and stay in the loop about when it’s coming your way.
