Satellite Internet Welcomes Tweak to 2Mbps Broadband Subsidy Scheme

Satellite Internet, which supplies Satellite based broadband connectivity using the SES (ASTRA) platform, has welcomed a revision to the Government’s “2Mbps to all” broadband support scheme that means subsidies are “now being passed directly” to those who actually deliver the service (i.e. ISPs).

The subsidy scheme, which was originally unveiled at the end of 2015 (here), is focused upon helping an estimated 300,000 UK premises that might not benefit from the Broadband Delivery UK roll-out of “superfast” (24Mbps+) Internet services. This was in keeping with the Government’s Universal Service Commitment (USC), which sought to ensure that everybody in the UK could access a minimum broadband download speed of at least 2Mbps (Megabits per second).

In simple terms it offered grants worth up to around £350 per property that could be used to reduce the initial cost of having a Satellite or fixed wireless broadband connection installed. However there were some complications with the administrative side of things and BT’s involvement in control of the subsidy added an extra hassle ( reseller agreements), but those have now been resolved.

David Hennell, SI’s Business Development Director, said:

“The decision by BDUK really is a game changer and offers a superb opportunity to broadband-starved residents and businesses to get connected to services that will improve their day-to-day lives. In covering the whole of the UK, the scheme really does provide the best assistance to disadvantaged premises.

We are delighted that within the revised Better Broadband scheme, subsidies are now being passed directly to those who actually deliver the service and can only applaud BDUK for its proactive thinking and common sense approach, which delivers the best value for money for the taxpayer’s pound alongside hugely increased benefits for eligible premises.

We at Satellite Internet can now deliver qualifying applicants a radically improved offering for a very small fixed set-up cost, no matter how complicated the required installation may be. As a result, we’re already seeing a fast-growing level of both enquiries and orders under the BDUK revised scheme. This simplicity and clarity can only be a good thing going forward, meaning as many people as possible can benefit from greatly improved internet speeds over the coming months and years.”

The BDUK Better Broadband subsidy scheme is now available to any residential or commercial property with current broadband speeds of less than 2Mbps across the entire UK, with the exception of Wales and Devon & Somerset that have their own regional schemes.

We should add that the “very small fixed set-up cost” mentioned above equates to £70, although that includes all necessary equipment (e.g. dish, wireless router), professional installation and account activation. Business properties will also be eligible for the reduced set-up costs, albeit after having an additional chargeable site survey.

The downside to Satellite is that anything less than a very small data usage allowance can still attract a comparatively expensive monthly rental (e.g. £54.99 for just 50GB on a 20Mbps service) and those high latency times will make some services, such as fast paced online video games and cloud computing, unusable.