The best internet for rural Cornwall: Starlink vs 4G/5G vs fixed line

Fixed line: ADSL, part-fibre and full fibre

If you can get full fibre (FTTP) to the property, it's usually the best value — fast, reliable and cheap per megabit. The catch is that much of rural Cornwall is still on slow part-fibre (FTTC) or old ADSL, and full fibre roll-out is patchy. It's always worth checking your postcode with Openreach and local providers like Wildanet and Airband before anything else — sometimes fibre has quietly arrived.

4G / 5G broadband

A 4G or 5G router — ideally with an external roof antenna aimed at the nearest mast — can be excellent where there's mobile signal but no decent line. It's quick to set up and makes a great backup connection. Speeds depend entirely on how good your signal is, and antenna placement makes a big difference, which is where a survey pays off.

Starlink (satellite)

Starlink works almost anywhere with a clear view of the sky, typically delivering 100–200Mbps even in the most remote valleys. The monthly cost is higher than fixed line and it needs a dish installed, but for properties with no usable line and poor mobile signal, it's often the only thing that genuinely works.

So which should you choose?

As a rough guide: if full fibre is available, take it. If you have solid 4G/5G signal and a tighter budget, a good antenna and router is a strong middle option. If you're remote with no line and weak mobile signal, Starlink is the answer. And for a business that can't afford to go down, we combine two — for example Starlink with a 4G backup — so one failing doesn't take you offline.

Getting it working inside, too

Whichever connection you choose, the internet still has to reach every room, barn and office — and in Cornish buildings that's a job in itself. We install and integrate all of the above with proper Wi-Fi so the whole property actually benefits.