New Satellite could offer short term boost to rural broadband plans - Farron

South Lakes MP Tim Farron is calling on the government to use the launch of a European satellite to boost rural broadband provision.

A recent pilot scheme in Wales has been heralded a major success after businesses and homes tried out using satellite technology to surf the web.

The news that the pilot project was a success comes just at the right time because of the launch of the new EU communications satellite.

The communications satellite will have the capacity to offer internet speeds of up to 10Mbps download (4Mbps upload) and become part of broadband service in the EU and UK next year, and is now in the final stages of readiness for launch by a Proton rocket on 20th December 2010.

Tim is calling on the government to use this opportunity to look at rolling out the pilot scheme to Cumbria.

Tim said, "Satellite broadband is an ideal short term measure. There are large parts of the country where homes and businesses require a high-speed broadband service to prosper and it may take time to connect all of these rural locations by cable or fibre. It is important that we encourage short term improvements in service such as satellite technology."

"We need to continue to examine every alternative for broadband provision, and satellite broadband has the potential to help those in remaining notspots."