The Cheltenham-based broadband satellite ISP, Tariam, which has continued to suffer from service and support problems since August (news), could be in serious trouble. Several customers and rivals have suggested that the provider may be unable to pay some of its bills, potentially causing one or two of their suppliers to pull the plug.

One reader alleges that Tariam has had "8 or so CCJ's against them this year so far" and were now "subject to a winding up petition". Unfortunately most of our recent attempts to contact Tariam have typically gone unanswered, which is apparently a common problem for customers too. Further details can be found in THIS topic on our forum.

Additional allegations have claimed that SkyLogic, one of Tariams suppliers, cancelled their distributorship deal at the end of October due to non-payment. Mark Bennett, an agent for Worldwide Comms (Orbit Research), recently went on record to inform us of the following developments:


In keeping with Bennetts comments, ISPreview has seen complaints from customers that recently paid well over £1,000 for a service which they now appear unable to receive.

However the good news is that Tariam's Simon Clifton has finally responded after seeing Bennetts remarks. Clifton makes the claim that the article placed by Bennett is not true and that he is merely after their customers.

Naturally we decided to contact Eutelsat's Skylogic to get to the bottom of things and were put in touch with Fulvio Zola, Skylogic's Contract Administrator. Contray to Clifton's claim, Zola has instead confirmed Bennetts comment:


Since receiving Tariam’s original message on Monday we have responded to try and gain further clarity and comment over all of the concerns raised in this news item. Sadly we have not yet received a response.

UK satellite Internet providers operate in an increasingly niche sector of the market, a sector which has already been pushed back by land-line broadband services and is now also facing pressures from growing Mobile Broadband and wireless alternatives. Add into that the current recession and making money suddenly becomes very difficult.