Monks blessed with broadband
1st August 2008
A community of Cistercian monks living on an island off the Welsh coast is celebrating after securing a broadband connection.
The Caldey Island monastery relies on its internet connection to support its self-sustained lifestyle.
Homemade perfume and sweets are sold by the monks via an online shop and using a slow dial-up connection had grown tiresome.
Abbot of Caldey Abbey, Father Daniel, commented: "Patience is one of the characteristics of monastic life, but even the patience of the brothers was being tested by our slow, dial-up internet service.
"We have many plans to develop our commercial activities now we have a modern, high-speed communications link."
The TFL Group is responsible for transmitting the wireless broadband service from its communication tower on the mainland.
Monks have been living on Caldey Island, separated from Pembrokeshire by three miles of water, since the 6th century.
Member of the Internet Services Providers' Association
Member of the Broadband Stakeholder Group