The initial wave of trial sites announced today includes Rievaulx Abbey in North Yorkshire, Wasdale Head in the Lake District, and two sites in Snowdonia National Park (with Ogwen Valley pictured above).
As well as testing the technical capability of the satellites, the trial will assess what benefits faster connections will bring to these remote premises. Following the trials, the government will consider the viability of using satellite technology to connect very hard to reach homes and businesses across the UK.
The projects at these initial trial sites will look to achieve the following:
- Rievaulx Abbey, founded in 1132, in North Yorkshire Moors National Park, is one of the most complete abbey ruins in England. The project (pictured below) will improve connectivity at the site and is expected to help visitors and researchers engage with educational content relating to the ancient monument.
- Wasdale Head in the Lake District will be connected to explore how better broadband can improve operations in communication blackspot zones for mountain rescue team radio and global positioning services.
- Snowdonia National Park will see two sites connected: the base of the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation (Sefydliad Achub Mynydd Dyffryn Ogwen) to support their life-saving operations and Ty Cornel, an outdoor activity centre in Crafnant Valley managed by Scouts Cymru to help improve safety for wardens and the public crossing the isolated 25-acre site as well as enabling new educational resources for visiting school, university or scout groups.
Digital Secretary Michelle Donelan said, “Ensuring everyone can get a quality internet connection is crucial to our levelling up plans and these trials aim to find a solution to the prohibitively high cost of rolling out cables to far-flung locations.”
Andrea Selley, territory director for the North at English Heritage, added, “We are so pleased to be part of this trial and want to thank DCMS for their support. Rievaulx Abbey nestles within a beautiful but remote setting so this new satellite service will ensure better connectivity for our staff and visitors.”
The trials have been supported by Starlink, with the company providing satellite equipment. DCMS said it is continuing to discuss the capability of other solutions and services with suppliers, including the use of other providers such as Oneweb at more complex sites.
