UKSA Launches £3.5 Million Satellite Plan to Connect the Hardest-to-Reach Corners of the UK

The UK Space Agency has launched a £3.5 million programme to tackle unreliable internet access in Britain’s most remote areas. In collaboration with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the European Space Agency (ESA), the initiative aims to bridge the digital divide using hybrid satellite technology.

Three projects have been selected for funding, including one to create portable, gigabit-capable Internet terminals. These systems, which will be mounted onto vehicles, will provide essential connectivity for local authorities, emergency services, farmers, and event organisers. Telecoms Minister Chris Bryant described digital infrastructure as “essential for our modern way of life” and highlighted the importance of ensuring no community is left behind in the push to tackle inequality through technology.

Satellites Are Transforming Rural Connectivity

Rathlin Island, situated seven miles off Northern Ireland’s coast, will receive £2 million to address inconsistent mobile signals and fragmented broadband services. The funding aims to improve Internet access for its 141 residents and approximately 40,000 annual visitors. Fleur Anderson, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, called the initiative “fantastic” and said it will “open up opportunities and transform services” for the island’s community and businesses.

Michael Cecil, Chair of the Rathlin Development & Community Association, said the island’s historic role as the site of Marconi’s first commercial radio broadcast makes it fitting that Rathlin is again at the forefront of connectivity innovation.

In the Shetland Islands, £1 million will support the development of a hybrid satellite-wireless system for Papa Stour. The project aims to deliver scalable connectivity with minimal maintenance, addressing challenges faced by small, remote communities. Scottish Secretary Ian Murray described the project as “a vital research initiative” that could serve as a model for other isolated areas in Scotland.

The initiative combines Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Geostationary Orbit (GEO) satellites with advanced wireless systems, including potential 5G and 6G integration. Paul Bullock, Chief Product Officer at Wireless Logic, called the hybrid approach a “game-changer,” noting that combining satellite and cellular technologies can address coverage gaps and provide robust solutions for remote locations.