As digital infrastructure, tech, and connectivity evolve, investment in rural digital connectivity must be prioritised for economic growth, social inclusion and improving quality of life
Digital technologies have enabled businesses to remain competitive and stay ahead of the curve. To achieve profitability and drive economic growth, companies, world-over, should be investing in digital tech as a top priority, which enables them to streamline operations, reach new customers, improve customer experience, and tap into new markets and opportunities.
Getting access to everyday essentials like healthcare, education, financial services, and even entertainment for social interaction can be extremely difficult for those living in remote or under-served areas. Therefore, access to the internet can be lifesaving but also provide greater flexibility and convenience and, in turn, bridge the social inclusion gap, positively impacting mental well-being.
UK improvements in both urban and rural digital connectivity
Across the UK, improvements in digital connectivity have, and are still, being made, with 97% of premises now benefitting from superfast broadband coverage, with gigabit-capable broadband serving 70%. However, more work must be done to connect the disconnected.
As of two years ago, there were still an estimated 1.5 million homes in the UK that did not have connectivity or access to the internet. The UK’s current approach of considering a range of digital technologies, including fibre, mobile and satellite, is the right one and essential to ensure everyone, everywhere, can be connected.
An example is DSIT’s Alpha Trial programme, testing the viability of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites to provide high-speed connectivity for businesses and homes in hard-to-reach areas.
To ensure that no part of the UK is left behind, this increasing demand must be met by providing robust and resilient connectivity across the country.
This will be essential to ensure households, businesses, and local government can have access to the services they require – such as banking, healthcare and education. Providing these to all will reduce the digital divide and ultimately improve the economic and social prosperity
of the UK.
Prioritising approaches to digital infrastructure in rural areas must happen to ensure that these communities have access to the same digital services as those in well-served areas. We see this happening through the UK government’s Universal Service Obligation and Rural Gigabit Connectivity programme.
However, there is still a digital divide between urban and rural areas – and it remains crucial that a range of connectivity approaches are considered (e.g. satellite communications) – especially for those regions where traditional means of connectivity are not economically feasible or physically possible.
Improved digital connectivity
Improved digital connectivity has become a critical aspect of our daily lives. The internet has revolutionised how we shop, work, live and interact with others, making our lives easier and more efficient.
There are several benefits to improved digital connectivity:
- Innovation in digital connectivity has been fundamental to economic growth. It has created new job opportunities, increased productivity, and facilitated the growth of small businesses. It enables businesses to operate more efficiently, increasing access to markets and customers and facilitating innovation and development of new products
and services. - Social interaction – how we communicate with each other, locally and globally has transformed over the years. This developed and enhanced ability to connect via instant messaging and video conferencing has allowed people to communicate more easily and in real-time, regardless of location.
- Improved access to healthcare services as a result of digital connectivity, especially in remote areas. For example, with telemedicine, patients can consult with healthcare professionals remotely, reducing the need for physical appointments. This can improve access to healthcare in underserved areas.
- Enhanced digital connectivity has made it easier for people in rural or remote areas to access financial services, education, job opportunities, and other services – giving greater social inclusion. With education, for example, better internet access has made it easier for students to attend virtual lessons, access educational resources, communicate with teachers, and collaborate with peers.
This is all fair and well when generation cellular networks are available and/or broadband connection is reliable, but what happens when that connectivity fails or there isn’t service availability to remote areas? In these instances, an alternative back up of resilient connectivity is critical in keeping people connected.
LEO satellite network services can be accessed wherever a direct line of sight exists to the sky above. Unlike terrestrial backhaul solutions, distance to the gateway is irrelevant to the rollout cost. This integrates seamlessly with any last mile technology to create a connection with low latency, high throughput, and secure internet access for unconnected communities.
Furthermore, satellite-based connectivity is essential in responding to human or natural-made disruption when terrestrial networks become disabled.
In addition, satellite systems can provide vital interim infrastructure in areas where new generations of terrestrial systems may eventually arrive.
Digital investment driving economic growth
Digital investment plays an essential role in driving economic growth. It increases access to markets and customers, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Digital platforms and e-commerce can enable SMEs to reach a national and global consumer base, which can help them grow and compete with larger firms. It’s also an enabler to stimulate innovation and develop new products and services.
In addition, it can increase productivity by improving efficiency and reducing costs. For example, automation and digitisation can streamline processes and increase the speed of operations, leading to greater productivity and output.
Better rural digital connectivity ensures the local population can access essential services (e.g. healthcare, education, ability to work). In turn, this will encourage individuals to remain in their hometown – be it rural or remote – instead of relocating to urban and better-connected areas, which will inevitably benefit the local economy.
