RURAL homes and businesses in the UK will be connected to better broadband, beamed to earth by satellite – and a 12th Century abbey in the North Yorkshire Moors is included in the plans.
A trial officially launched yesterday will examine the extent to which satellites can be used to deliver high-speed connections to more than a dozen ‘very hard to reach’ locations.
Plans include Rievaulx Abbey, which will have equipment installed that allows it to link up to a satellites orbiting the globe, and benefit from broadband up to ten times faster than is currently available.
The project aims to improve connectivity at the site and is expected to help visitors and researchers engage with educational content relating to the ancient monument.
Following the trials, the government will consider the viability of using satellite technology to connect very hard to reach homes and businesses across the UK.
In a further broadband boost for rural areas, the government will triple the value of vouchers available under the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme.
From early next year, eligible homes and businesses will be able to apply for up to £4,500 to cover the costs of a gigabit-capable connection.
The Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme ensures rural communities and businesses, which commercial suppliers are not planning to reach, can get more immediate help with the costs of installing a gigabit-capable broadband connection.
Businesses or residents that are eligible for gigabit vouchers can access the scheme through a registered supplier
Digital Secretary Michelle Donelan said: “High-speed broadband beamed to earth from space could be the answer to the connectivity issues suffered by people in premises stuck in the digital slow lane.
“Ensuring everyone can get a quality internet connection is crucial to our levelling up plans and these trials aim to find a solution to the prohibitively high cost of rolling out cables to far-flung locations.”
Andrea Selley, Territory Director for the North at English Heritage, said: “We are so pleased to be part of this trial and want to thank DCMS for their support. Rievaulx Abbey nestles within a beautiful but remote setting so this new satellite service will ensure better connectivity for our staff and visitors.”
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites are positioned around 550 to 1,000 kilometres above the earth's surface and travel along their own orbit.
The fact they are closer to earth than previous generations of satellites, enhance their ability and make applications such as video calls and web browsing much smoother.
Recent tests have shown that in many locations these satellites can deliver speeds of up to 200 megabits per second, well above the speeds capable via copper cables commonly used in hard-to-reach areas today.
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