[Satellite News 12-08-10] Two members of the U.K. Parliament’s space committee who witnessed the Nov. 26 launch of the Hylas 1 and Intelsat 17 satellites aboard an Ariane 5 are confident that satellite services can have a more impact in the United Kingdom.
    Pamela Nash, MP, Airdrie and Shotts (Labour), told Satellite News, “I have realized to a much greater extent how big an impact that satellite technology will make on my constituency. It was really inspiring to spend time with a group of people so passionate and excited about their work.”
    The demand for satellite broadband services likely will be stronger in Scotland than in other parts of the United Kingdom. Nash, the youngest politician in parliament, hopes satellite broadband can play a bigger role in providing services. “Over the next 12 months, I would like to see satellite broadband become more mainstream. I would also like to see users benefit from higher quality services. I will be definitely be looking at how we can provide more satellite broadband services in my constituency. I can also see satellite broadband services becoming more mainstream throughout the United Kingdom,” she says.
   Political support for the use of Hylas 1 also could be growing. “As the uses of the Internet have increased, both commercially and in other areas, broadband has moved away from being a luxury item to something that is now a necessity,” says Nash. “From a government point of view, we now expect to have constant Internet access. An example of the importance of broadband is its use by jobseekers, who now increasingly need access to the Internet in order to look for work, so it is becoming more critical.”
    With Scotland having a strong need for satellite broadband services, Nash hopes Scotland can lead the way with a progressive policy towards satellite. “In terms of whether equipment should be subsidized, it is up to the government as to whether they think it is an essential item rather than a luxury item. If they agree that it is an essential item, then yes, it should be subsidized. There are many rural areas in Scotland where it would be extremely difficult to lay fibe-optic cable, so it good news that the Scottish government have begun to address this by putting satellite provided broadband on the political agenda. Scotland should definitely have a supportive attitude towards satellite,” she says.
    David Morris, MP, Morecambe & Lunesdale (Labour), echoed Nash’s positive sentiments towards the space industry in the United Kingdom. There is clearly a niche there for satellite to exploit. There are around 10 percent of households throughout the United Kingdom which are not connected, so satellite is definitely the way forward. I have a background in space as well as science and technology, and it is a growth area. I think space can play a huge part in providing services to people that, up to now, have not been connected. I think the minister should be looking towards space propositions. I think there are still consultations going on in terms of how broadband should be bought to underserved areas of the country, but there are definite opportunities there because cable cannot cover the whole of the United Kingdom.”
    With broadband for all drive in most countries, the U.K. government will have to decide how much money will be used to provide access to these services, says Morris. “There is money available to bring broadband to everyone in the United Kingdom. Satellite is one area where that money can be spent. I know there have been some meetings over recent weeks to discuss how this money should be allocated. There is plenty to do in order to push the case for satellite and technology. I would say that satellite is an emerging technology which has the capability to override all the other broadband technologies when it comes to delivering an efficient service to rural areas. It is an instantaneous service and cheaper in many respects. It remains to be seen if government chooses cable options going forward in terms of broadband. It strikes me as logical way of connecting rural communities and towns that satellite has to be the way ahead.”
    Morris believes success by Avanti can have an effect on the U.K. space industry as a whole. “I think government would do well to listen to them and make sure they get the support they need. Space does bring marvelous benefits to the economy, and we should be looking at all areas to ensure that we keep up in this area. I think satellite is starting to come through now. We have seen a report to roll out cable in all areas of the United Kingdom would cost around 8 billion to 9 billion pounds ($12.6 billion to $14.2 billion), so it is very expensive. A company like Avanti which has been very entrepreneurial can bring huge benefits to the broadband industry. Something like this will only help the space industry to take-off.”