British space agency calls for funding to help internet connectivity

As fixed and mobile broadband initiatives toil to reach remote areas of the nation with faster connectivity, the government is looking skywards, with a new programme helmed by the UK Space Agency.

Up to £3.5 million worth of funding is being supplied to run tests on hybrid satellite connectivity, with the end goal of getting some of the UK’s hardest-to-reach regions connected.

The UK government has stated that regardless of what it refers to as substantial progress made with gigabit-capable and superfast broadband (via Project Gigabit), some rural and remote places across the country still face serious challenges, where only satellites can offer a practical solution to connectivity issues.

These locations are typically characterised by small populations and troublesome terrain that make traditional types of infrastructure both expensive and impractical.

As a result, the UK Space Agency is working closely alongside the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the European Space Agency’s telecoms research programme, with the aim of helping close the digital divide that remains in many parts of the nation.

The recent call for funding seeks to select partners for planned projects focused on supplying satellite services in the future – highlighting the potential of combining several satellite technologies to provide gigabit-capable speed connectivity at an affordable price.

Enhanced connectivity will help to support local businesses, education, healthcare, research and conservation, while enhancing the economy – as well as improving the quality of life of residents dwelling in harder-to-reach areas in the UK.