RathlinConnex Boost Broadband Connectivity for Rathlin Island in N.Ireland

Some 170 people living on remote rural Rathlin Island (Northern Ireland), which has no access to an on-site GP and can only be reached via a very weather-dependant ferry, look set to be given access to “high-speed [internet] connectivity” via a landmark project called RathlinConnex – backed by Excelerate Technology, Eutelsat (OneWeb satellites) and Livewire Digital.

The project, supported by funding from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Space for 5G/6G & Sustainable Connectivity programme (part of ARTES), aims to deploy a modular, hybrid connectivity system that integrates Eutelsat’s OneWeb satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) along with GEO satellite services, private 5G, and terrestrial cellular (mobile) into a “unified, intelligent communications platform“.

The system will be installed as fixed infrastructure on the island, delivering “reliable broadband access for residents, small businesses, essential services, and community facilities“. The deployment will also support Internet of Things (IoT) telemetry for environmental monitoring, remote diagnostics, and future digital services that depend on stable, high‑quality connectivity.

So far as we can tell, this project appears to have been birthed as part of the UK Government’s £3.5m Very Hard to Reach Programme (VHRP), which was established in 2024 to conduct three projects that sought to use hybrid networks (e.g. a mix of satellite, fixed wireless and 5G/6G mobile technologies) to help improve broadband in remote rural areas (here). One of those projects was a hybrid solution for Rathlin Island, which was handed up to £2m.

Steve Mills, Vice President for Global Government at Eutelsat, said:

“Reliable connectivity is essential for community resilience, public services and local economies, especially in hard-to-reach places like Rathlin Island. Through our OneWeb LEO constellation, we are proud to help deliver secure, high-speed connectivity that supports residents, healthcare access and local businesses. This collaboration shows how satellite technology can make a real difference where it is needed most.”

Bethan Evans, Chief Operating Officer at Excelerate Technology, said:

“We are extremely proud to lead the consortium, bringing together world‑class expertise to deliver a truly transformative connectivity solution for the UK. RathlinConnex is about more than technology — it is about ensuring that remote communities have the same digital opportunities as everywhere else. This project represents a major step forward in closing the digital divide for island residents who have historically been underserved.”

However, the announcement fails to define what it means by “high-speed” connectivity (OneWeb’s satellites aren’t as capable as Starlink, but they should be able to handle up to 200Mbps – shared capacity), and nor do we get any information about how much the service will cost. Furthermore, trying to conduct a Google search for anything related to RathlinConnex came up with a blank, all of which is a bit disappointing.

Speaking of Starlink (SpaceX), that service is already available to residents of the island, which currently starts at just £25 per month (first 6 months, then £35) for speeds of c.100Mbps. So as useful as RathlinConnex may sound, there is an alternative for broadband.