UK Gov Updates on Rural Satellite Broadband Trial and New Pilots UPDATE

The Government has revealed some new details about their previously announced trial (here) to deliver “high-speed broadband” via Satellite ISP solutions to Shetland. At the same time, they’ve also launched a new Smart Infrastructure Pilots Programme (SIPP) and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Telecoms Diversification with Australia.

In case anybody has forgotten. The Government set aside £8m to help deliver “high-speed broadband” for up to 35,000 of the UK’s “most remote properties” (i.e. those unable to get gigabit-capable connections). At the time they could only confirm that this would involve OneWeb’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) network via partners BT and Clarus.

Back then, the Gov also stated that the trials would take place somewhere in the Shetland Islands and on Lundy Island, near the north Devon coast. These trials build on OneWeb’s community broadband trials to sites in remote locations such as Canada, Greenland, and soon to British territories in the South Atlantic.

The good news is that the Government has today revealed some more details on the Shetland trial and a few other developments. But due to a meeting, I can’t do a proper summary this morning, thus I’ll just have to paste the key bits of their announcement.

Papa Stour connected to high-speed satellite broadband

The island of Papa Stour in the Shetland Islands, one of the most remote communities anywhere in the UK, will see its digital infrastructure transformed in a matter of days as part of government plans to ensure universal access to fast, reliable broadband coverage.

Clarus Networks Group starts work on installing a specialist Kymeta flat panel today which, when finished later this week, will link to OneWeb’s constellation of low earth orbit (LEO) satellites to beam high-speed, reliable broadband connections to the island from space.

The panel’s installation marks its first commercial roll-out in Europe and forms part of the government’s Alpha Trial programme launched in December to test the capability and viability of low orbit satellites to deliver high-speed connectivity to communities in very hard to reach areas.

Broadband connectivity will be beamed down to the Scottish island’s rugged coastline via OneWeb’s satellite network, delivering life-changing digital accessibility, made possible by British-born science and technology innovation, and effective collaboration between central and local government.

Boosting connectivity and innovation with Smart Infrastructure Pilots Programme

The Minister also announced the launch of the Smart Infrastructure Pilots Programme (SIPP). Helping local authorities to deploy advanced digital infrastructure such as smart lampposts, SIPP will support the ambition set out in the government’s recently published Wireless Infrastructure Strategy for people, business and public services across the UK to realise the full benefits of 5G and other advanced wireless connectivity – from economic to environmental growth.

The initiative, a joint programme between DSIT and the Department for Transport (DfT), will provide up to £1.5 million in funding for 6 local authority-led pilots, which will be matched by smart service providers working with the participating local authorities, to procure and test innovative smart multi-purpose columns or lampposts.

Smart multi-purpose columns or lamp posts are street furniture that have the capacity to deliver a range of smart services, including improved mobile network connectivity, public Wi-Fi, electric vehicle charging, public safety and environmental monitoring. Investing in this technology can help bring cost savings to a local authority and increase connectivity for local communities.

The announcement is also a significant step towards achieving the government’s levelling up priorities and fostering widespread access to the benefits of good connectivity in communities across the UK.

UK and Australia Memorandum of Understanding on Telecoms Diversification

Minister Whittingdale today announced a Memorandum of Understanding on Telecoms Diversification between the UK and Australia.

Telecoms supply chains are global and working together with international partners is a critical piece of the government’s approach to achieving ambitions on telecoms diversification – reducing the global reliance on just a number of vendors to provide equipment for building 5G and future telecoms technologies networks and attracting new entrants to the UK market.

The MoU cements the strong foundations that already exist between the UK and Australia and will see the 2 countries strengthen cooperation on telecoms diversification, particularly the development of open and interoperable solutions such as open RAN, a kit which allows providers to ‘mix and match’ solutions from multiple vendors – enabling much more vendor diversity in the telecoms ecosystem.

UPDATE 13th June 2023 @ 4:13pm

The Edinburgh-based Clarus Networks Group has today confirmed to us that they’ll officially switch-on the trial network in Papa Stour tomorrow, which will then distribute the broadband capacity from OneWeb’s satellite network out to the island’s primary school building via a “WiFi” link.

At its peak in the 19th century, Papa Stour’s population was around 380 people, supported by a strong fishing sector. However, the population has dwindled since, and the island is now a permanent home to just 7 people. Presently, there are no children living on the island, but it is hoped the fast connection will allow the school building to act as a connection hub for the islanders.

The switch-on also marks Europe’s first commercial deployment of a new satellite comms panel, the Kymeta Hawk u8 terminal, which is flat and compact compared to previous domed antennas.

UPDATE 29th July 2023

So far as we can tell, the WiFi being deployed in Papa Stour appears to involve the deployment of a mesh style network that is relaying its wireless signal across kit installed on top of local lampposts (directly related to the SIPP mentioned above). Six other small local schemes across the UK will also procure and test smart lampposts as part of a wider trial. The SIPP is part of a wider Alpha Trial programme, which is testing LEO solutions in remote rural communities.