The UK government gives little importance to satellite broadband

Satellite providers are alarmed that satellite technology has been ignored and that they are left behind. The authorities do not seem to recognize that satellite technology can be crucial especially with respect to the provision of rural broadband.

The government has allotted GBP 530 million with the target of providing at least 2 Mbps to the users in the whole of the UK.

The government is of the opinion that once the 4G services come though the problems of the customers regarding speed will subside. But the government has to think about alternate source wherever fibre projects are not feasible or too expensive.

Ofcom’s statement, in August 2011, that 14% of the UK homes are not able to get even
2 Mbps access is ridiculous when 100% coverage can be attained with satellite. This was the remark of Chris O’Dell of Hughes Network Systems, a satellite equipment provider.

O’Dell challenged that ‘Ka Band Satellite Services’ can provide 10 Mbps downloads and 2 Mbps uploads without any sort of disturbance. There is no need for copper or fibre cables.

However, it has been claimed that satellite services are costlier than ADSL services.

O’Dell accepted that it is costlier than the fixed line service but the quality and service are far superior. He said that the cost is dependant on the service provider or virtual network operator. For 10 Mbps download only GBP 40 has to be paid.