The subject of satellite broadband has again been pushed into the headlines with many experts now believing that satellite-based broadband systems are the best option for those living in the more rural parts of the UK. This comes at a time when the UK government, and other political parties, continue to promise the earth with regards to fibre-optic network access in the short to medium term. Whether this is feasible on a practical and cost base for those in the countryside is a question which many people are starting to ask.
Historically satellite broadband has been unreliable and very costly although recent developments in satellite broadband technology would appear to have brought it closer to traditional broadband delivery costs than ever before. However, the equipment and investment required to both transmit and receive a satellite broadband is still significantly more expensive than the cost of more popular broadband connection methods.
It will be interesting to see how the development of fibre-optic-based rural broadband access progresses because many believe once the major towns and cities of the UK have fibre-optic broadband access then we could see a slowdown of the rollout into more rural areas.