Satellite Internet for Rural Access

Overview

A major problem for rural communities, poor broadband access can inhibit the growth of small businesses as well as affecting their potential to take advantage of network communications in fields such as education, creative industries, etc.

SIRA is one of two projects forming Phase 1 of the Enterprise and Culture (E&C) research within dot.rural. It explores both the technological challenges and the social and economic transformational impact of enhanced Internet provision. We recognise that successful technology adoption requires not only availability of appropriate service, but needs to be accompanied by integration with the user's digital environment. There is therefore a need to establish linkages between Socio-Economic (E&C ) considerations and technology for successful service roll-out. The project will therefore identify challenges for rural stakeholders and the perceived benefits of broadband connectivity for commercial and non-commercial use.

Researchers in the SIRA project are developing the research framework and will work through two case studies based on a pilot deployment within two rural scenarios.

The first is a rural business that has aspirations to radically expand its capacities once better connectivity is available. The second is a social enterprise or civil society organisation which has the potential to improve its effectiveness through enhanced broadband. The project will install a set of satellite broadband terminals to support business and social case studies. This is supported by research into novel satellite broadband techniques and by an exploration of new techniques for economic delivery of broadband to rural locations.

Collaboration between technology and socio-economic researchers will identify key elements: markets; requirements in terms of cost; security; resilience; user expectation; service needs; potential benefits. They will seek to answer important questions, such as: What is the impact of  new features on customer business plans? or upon communities' social inclusion? What is the demand for user-to-user communication? To what extent does user-behaviour change following availability of broadband? Can a flexible platform realise distinct services for specific types of user?

In addition to the two case studies, the research seeks to extend its social impact through a number of community outreach projects and additional data collection (both quantitative and qualitative) relating to the effects of broadband on social and economic aspects for rural communities. This research will be carried out in a number of settings throughout the UK and will be compared with the results of the two case studies and results from previous related research.

The research outcomes are expected to include: increased adoption of digital technologies business/organisational growth; wider community and client reach; new ways of delivering broadband; and development of new broadband satellite techniques and standards.

 

---