e-skills UK Guide

Remote broadband access

Getting broadband access for remote areas

Very few businesses can operate today without using the internet and World Wide Web. Even if that use is restricted to simple emailing or to a basic website giving you some “presence” you will need to have internet connectivity. With the growing complexity of the internet businesses must have a broadband capability or the system will be unusable.

Unfortunately traditional phone line based broadband internet access may be unavailable for more remote users, so an alternative means of getting fast access needs to be found.

This guide will take you through the problems and possible solutions available to you. By ensuring you have decent internet accessibility you will be able to make money and save costs and time for your business.

What is the problem?

In this guide we cover the requirements for the majority of users based in or near towns or cities. Unfortunately as you move further out to the country technical limitations apply to the delivery of broadband systems via telephone line and in a number of areas the service is unavailable. Some innovative local governments and authorities are paying for broadband services in some areas for remote users as they see the benefits this can provide but this leaves businesses based in other remote areas with a challenge for their internet access.

Quite a few businesses put up with basic dial up access but this prevents them from exploiting the internet to its full such as using internet based telephones or “rich media” such as online video. As time goes by these businesses will loose their competitive edge and ability to innovate, so the problem needs to be solved.

Satellite Broadband Access for Remote Users

When you have exhausted all your other options for internet connectivity there is a final option available that uses satellites to process your data. High above the UK there are satellites that are capable of carrying business related internet data such as email traffic and web browsing support.

To access these satellites you need to identify a supplier who will then make arrangements to install the system. The installation will comprise a satellite dish, feeder cable and internal equipment. Once installed you will be able to use the internet as any other user, but with a couple of caveats we have highlighted below.

The downside of satellite broadband access

As you would expect there is a downside to using satellites for broadband access:

•   Cost – the installation will cost you far more than a landline based connection and on going usage fees will be higher as you are accessing a relatively scarce resource. You will need to survey your prospective suppliers to determine the best prices as they are subject to fluctuation. Some local regional development agencies can offer financial support to enable broadband access for remote businesses, so it is always worthwhile speaking with your local regional government/development agency.

•   Performance – Any data that you are sending via satellite will have to travel on an extended journey up and down to the satellite. This can be as far as 140,000 km and will affect the speed of your link as it takes a while for the signal to travel this distance. This is referred to as signal latency and could be as much as ¾ of a second, introducing delays in any application such as internet telephony that needs almost instant data transfer. BT Business Satellite offers up to 512kbps download speed and 128 uplink.

•   Service levels – These may be lower than a landline. Although some providers promise a 99.5% availability at times signals will be affected by adverse weather. Trees or other objects in the path of the signal will also affect performance.

•   Other issues - Some homes/offices may not be able to receive a satellite service due to their local layout or geography as a clear view is needed to the south of the property. You may also need planning permission or landlord’s permission for the installation of a satellite dish.

In most cases these issues can be overcome and should not stop you fully investigating the use of broadband via satellite as internet access is now so important for almost every business.