Elon Musk’s satellites are to be part of a UK trial to deliver high-speed internet access to distant homes and businesses.
The enhanced connectivity package â powered by its Starlink technology â is part of the government’s plans to ensure everyone can access reliable coverage.
It will test how more than 3,000 small satellites in low Earth orbit can be used to help more than a dozen “very hard to reach” places.
The deployment will initially be tested at three remote sites.
These are the 12th-century Rievaulx Abbey in the North York Moors National Park, Wasdale Head in the Lake District and Snowdonia National Park.
After the trials, the government will consider the technology’s viability.
Recent tests have shown that in many locations, Starlink satellites can deliver internet speeds of up to 200 megabits per second – four times faster than the current UK average of just over 50 Mbps, the department said. digital, culture, media and sports.
Digital Secretary Michelle Donelan said satellites could “be the answer” to connecting remote places, which was “crucial” to the government’s upgrade plan.
“These trials are aimed at finding a solution to the prohibitive cost of deploying cables in remote locations,” she said.
Broadband signals broadcast by relatively low-flying satellites can be an effective way for remote areas to obtain high-speed Internet access, especially when they are not accessible by copper cables.
Parts of Ukraine, for example, got free access to Starlink service to help people there stay connected after Russia invaded.
Mr. Musk has pledged to continue funding the project, even if it runs at a loss.
âEven if Starlink continues to lose money and other companies receive billions of taxpayer dollars, we will continue to fund the Ukrainian government for free,â he tweeted.
Starlink has been vital to keeping Ukraine’s military and people online
