Remote areas offered satellite broadband ‘short-term fix’
A rare good news story in the many twists and turns that constitute life around rural broadband – this article tells us:
A free satellite broadband dish is to be given to people with the slowest broadband connections “as an early Christmas present”, the government has announced.
About 300,000 homes and businesses with an internet connection slower than 2Mbps will be able to claim £350 towards the installation of a free satellite dish, connection and a year’s subscription.
Thousands of farm businesses in remote areas of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland with some of the worst internet speeds will be able to take advantage of the offer. A similar scheme already exists in Wales.
The scheme being rolled out throughout December forms part of the Government’s commitment to make sure every home and business in the UK can access speeds of at least 2Mbps by the end of 2015.
Digital economy minister Ed Vaizey said: “This scheme offers immediate assistance to those homes and businesses in the most remote areas with the slowest speeds and is all part of our transformation of the UK’s digital landscape.”
Users will be responsible for paying any remaining cost of installation, choosing the features of the satellite broadband service they require and paying the monthly subscription for the service they selected, for a minimum period of 12 months.