How Satellite Broadband is Helping Rural Communities Get Online
In the early years of the internet, getting online meant that a dial-up internet connection was needed. This used existing telephone lines to connect to the internet as opposed to the dedicated connections that are now available with more modern fibre optic services. The limitations to dial-up connections became apparent over time as users demanded improved online services and the ability to send and receive data at a faster rate.
The main drawback of dial-up connections was the reliance on outdated telephone connections. These rely on copper wires to transmit data, and as the distances between the wire and the exchanges increased, the speeds would reduce.
Today, millions of consumers enjoy fast and reliable internet access on their computers and mobile devices. This is especially true if you live in a major urban area of a developed country, as the IT infrastructure is in place to support fast internet connections. However, even in developed countries, rural locations typically experience slower internet speeds or even a complete lack of online connectivity. Internet providers may be reluctant to invest in the necessary infrastructure to support fast internet supplies if they’re serving a smaller number of consumers.
Thankfully, there’s another alternative in such locations in the form of satellite broadband. In this article, there will be a discussion of this form of internet access along with information on how this technology is of specific benefit to rural communities.
Current connectivity problems in rural locations
Several challenges in rural communities serve to prevent many consumers from enjoying fast and reliable internet access. As previously mentioned, some broadband providers may be reluctant to invest in areas with small populations as the cost of upgrading infrastructure isn’t met by a large number of paying consumers. In addition, other forms of internet access, such as mobile internet, may be limited by network coverage.
At present, the fastest and most advanced form of mobile internet is the 5G network, although, many providers only cover around 50% of the population and tend to be focused on major urban centres such as larger cities.
If you live in a rural community in the UK, check the coverage of the 5G mobile network in your location to see if the services are available to you. Many smaller rural areas will find that, at present, coverage is limited or not available. In addition, some rural areas have significant changes in elevation, such as being in a valley, or may be far away from the nearest mobile antenna mast. These factors can dramatically reduce mobile reception and coverage.
Thankfully, in many cases in rural locations, dedicated 4G and 5G mobile internet providers such as Dyfed Telecom have sought to provide effective and reliable connections to rural users. By placing strong antenna receivers on the roofs of homes, even remote areas that have patchy mobile internet access can enjoy improved broadband services. This can be a key way to resolve issues in areas of poor mobile reception and overcome the issue of internet providers unwilling to invest in new cables and additional telecommunications infrastructure.
How does satellite broadband work?
Satellite broadband can be seen as an ideal way to overcome the most extreme challenges in terms of connecting to the internet. This may be suitable for rural areas where there are outdated telephony networks and extremely poor mobile reception/coverage.
Satellite broadband works by beaming laser signals from the internet provider from its base to satellites that have been placed in geostationary orbit above the Earth. Typically, these satellites are 22,300 miles above the equator, and this distance allows them to stay in a fixed location above the Earth, mirroring the speed at which it rotates. The data is then received by the satellite, which is then relayed to the recipient.
Essentially, satellite broadband overcomes the need to have a physical connection to exchanges (such as would be needed for wired broadband or fibre optic connections), and doesn’t rely on mobile network coverage.
Some setup costs involved with satellite broadband
If you decide that you wish to switch to satellite broadband services, you’ll need to investigate the costs involved. Firstly, you’ll need to invest in a satellite dish to receive the internet data from the provider satellite. Typically, satellite dishes cost around £400 in the UK, although prices may vary.
In addition, it’s important to consider that monthly subscription costs may be significantly higher than other forms of broadband internet access. For example, the fastest form of satellite broadband comes via the Starlink satellites, which offer superfast download speeds but at a cost of around £75 per month. This is considerably more expensive than many other internet providers but may be suitable if your remote location, lack of other suitable services, and need for fast internet makes this option an attractive one.
