Recommendation 18

We asked the Department about the scope for using alternative technologies, such as low earth orbit satellites in place of masts, to provide mobile coverage in those areas which would still have no 4G coverage after the completion of the Shared Rural Network programme. The Department told us that it was already undertaking trials of the use of such technology in areas where there were serious issues in providing access to broadband services. The trials were going very well and local feedback had been very positive. The Department noted that satellite-enabled mobile telephones were currently expensive both in terms of their upfront costs and the ongoing subscription costs.31 However, it expected that over time that satellite technology would probably become the most cost-effective solution for the relatively few premises in the 5% of the UK without 4G coverage.32 30 Q 40; C&AG’s Report, para 13 31 Qq 14–16 32 Qq 59–60 14 Supporting mobile connectivity 2 Data on mobile coverage Reported coverage versus people’s experience