Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Latest News
    • Networking

    Government to ‘Offer’ Satellite Broadband Vouchers in Rural Areas

    By
    Guest Author
    -
    September 18, 2015
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin
      broadband in rural areas

      By Steve McCaskill

      The government reportedly plans to offer satellite broadband vouchers to homes and businesses in rural areas not deemed economically viable for fiber deployment and not included in government-funded projects like Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK).

      First reported by The Telegraph, and confirmed to TechWeekEurope by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), two pilots will be held in Suffolk and West Yorkshire with the intention of expanding the initiative across the United Kingdom.

      The vouchers will meet the cost of a satellite dish and modem installation, but not the monthly cost, which is believed will be around £25 a month. The plans were first mentioned in the Conservative’s manifesto for the General Election earlier this year, but no mention was made in the summer budget.

      Satellite Broadband

      “We will ensure no one is left behind by subsidizing the cost of installing superfast capable satellite services in the very hardest to reach areas,” read the document.

      Four providers will apparently participate in the trial as the government attempts to meet its target of ensuring the entire country has access to speeds of at least 2M bps by the end of the year. It is said at least one provider will offer a superfast 30M bps service.

      However, some analysts suggest broadband users need at least 10M bps to make the most of the Internet, while Ofcom has suggested increasing the ‘universal service obligation’ to that speed. Even the previous coalition government’s budget in March suggested 5M bps would become the new standard.

      Superfast Push

      Existing broadband projects like BDUK and the Super Connected City voucher scheme, which provides grants of up to £3,000 to small businesses to upgrade their connectivity, have so far connected more than three million premises.

      BDUK is confident it will reach its target of covering 95 percent of the United Kingdom with superfast broadband by 2017, but this still leaves around 1.5 million homes and businesses excluded, leading to fears of the emergence of a “digital divide” between urban and rural areas.

      “Alternative” technologies such as LTE and satellite have long been touted as a cost-effective way of reaching the ‘final five’ percent, with Ofcom holding trials in a number of areas.

      In February, BDUK CEO Chris Townsend said he would be petitioning the government for more funding to connect rural areas to satellite as part of ‘phase 3’ of the project.

      Guest Author

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Android

      Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro: Durability for Tough...

      Chris Preimesberger - December 5, 2020 0
      Have you ever dropped your phone, winced and felt the pain as it hit the sidewalk? Either the screen splintered like a windshield being...
      Read more
      Cloud

      Why Data Security Will Face Even Harsher...

      Chris Preimesberger - December 1, 2020 0
      Who would know more about details of the hacking process than an actual former career hacker? And who wants to understand all they can...
      Read more
      Cybersecurity

      How Veritas Is Shining a Light Into...

      eWEEK EDITORS - September 25, 2020 0
      Protecting data has always been one of the most important tasks in all of IT, yet as more companies become data companies at the...
      Read more
      Cybersecurity

      Visa’s Michael Jabbara on Cybersecurity and Digital...

      James Maguire - May 17, 2022 0
      I spoke with Michael Jabbara, VP and Global Head of Fraud Services at Visa, about the cybersecurity technology used to ensure the safe transfer...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      GoodData CEO Roman Stanek on Business Intelligence...

      James Maguire - May 4, 2022 0
      I spoke with Roman Stanek, CEO of GoodData, about business intelligence, data as a service, and the frustration that many executives have with data...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2021 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×