The UK government is launching three innovative satellite projects to improve broadband access in remote areas. Combining LEO and GEO technology, these initiatives target isolated regions like Rathlin Island and Papa Stour.
Cornwall-based broadband provider Wildanet has collaborated with Nokia to accelerate the installation of a gigabit-enabled full fibre network across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. This strategic partnership aims to enhance digital connectivity in these underserved areas.
In a quest to bring hyper-fast broadband to Scotland’s most rural regions, the Scottish government launched the ambitious R100 (Reaching 100%) project. Backed with sizable financing, R100 aims to boost connectivity for over 180,000 premises. However, stumbling blocks including bidding disputes and slow deployment have pushed timelines back, igniting debates over the project’s efficacy and cost-effectiveness.
ITS has launched the enticing Faster Britain bus initiative, a design tour autour du pays to spread the word about their newly unveiled full-fibre network. The double-decker bus will serve not only as advertisement but a consumer engagement podium, hosting training events at over 70 networks, engaging directly with tech enthusiasts and initiating digital inclusion programs.
As Germany’s “Gigabit funding 2.0” program faces potential budget reductions, there’s concern it may throttle the rollout process with overcrowded construction capacity, causing a potential lag in projects. Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs declares a €3.6 billion allocation for the ourishing fibre-optic network industry.
Several prominent German telecoms associations, including ANGA, Bitkom, BREKO, BUGLAS, and VATM, have united in a call to the German government, urging a reduction in funding for fibre-optic projects. Citing concerns over the overwhelming response to the German Gigabit funding program, the associations propose a cut in funding to €1 billion between 2024-2026.
The future of high-quality broadband access hinges on fiber investment, with interest spanning government, media, and network operators. Its value is in optimization, sustainability, and compatibility with the future. This technology could reshape industries, from education to smart city initiatives. The European Commission’s ambitious Digital Deco 2030, aiming to extend gigabit services to its entire populace by 2030, reflects global recognition of broadband’s potential in economic growth. Nevertheless, the disparity in gigabit-digital access remains a concern, prompting a focus on all-optical fiber networks. This reality becomes evident with Omdia’s Fiber Development Index (FDI), offering a diverse range of fiber investment metrics.
Formulating the future of UK’s internet, Building Digital UK (BDUK) triggers the procurement process under the £5 billion Project Gigabit framework. Their ambitious objective: accelerate gigabit-speed broadband coverage to capture a minimum of 85% of premises by 2025. However, there’s a twist in the tale, as reaching remote regions still poses a formidable challenge.
Fibre builder Wildanet’s expansion into the Devon region could fuel an estimated economic surge of £1 billion by 2030, primarily through Gigabit-capable broadband, according to a new Curia report. This ambitious outlook, however, hinges on universal access to Gigabit broadband by 2030, a significantly higher benchmark than Wildanet’s initial target of reaching 25,000 premises. The firm’s dedication to end the digital disparity in rural Devon is so far supported by over 60,000 wireless connections, and plans to add 50,000 more by 2023. Meanwhile, additional funds from Gresham House could expedite the broadband rollout, making digital inclusion a tangible reality, even in the most remote locations. Despite this, digital desolation persists, with nearly 78,000 Devon inhabitants having never experienced internet access.
Openreach is delivering full fibre broadband to 38 rural UK communities through Project Gigabit, aiming to connect 290,000 hard to reach properties. The initiative is already boosting business, education and local economies, with potential to add £66 billion to UK GDP and support remote work.
