In late 2025, BT repaired a crucial subsea fibre cable to Tiree that was damaged by Storm Amy, causing significant outages; the repair involved complex operations by specialist vessels and teams, alongside temporary solutions like Starlink, with full restoration confirmed by November 2025.
The Incident & Impact:
- Damage: Storm Amy damaged the subsea fibre cable, cutting off primary internet and impacting mobile coverage (EE/BT).
- Community Impact: Islanders faced slow, limited connectivity, relying on temporary satellite links, affecting healthcare, business, and daily life.
BT's Response & Repair:
- Emergency Response Team: BT's Emergency Response team deployed, setting up Starlink satellite dishes to restore essential services at the surgery, school, Bank, Local Shop,Hotel & Petrol Station.
- Repair Operations: A specialist barge and team worked to locate and repair the ~1.2km damaged section, requiring calm weather (5+ days).
- Enhanced Protection: The repaired section will receive extra armoring for improved resilience against future damage.
- Full Restoration: By late November 2025, the subsea cable repair was completed, restoring full service.