The document discusses satellite internet's role in achieving universal service obligations (USO) by providing broadband access to remote areas. It notes that satellite internet can currently provide a minimum of 2Mbps speeds about anywhere, meeting the USO definition. However, the scope and definition of a USO, such as what download speeds and data allowances are required, have cost implications and may require public subsidies for remote installations. New high throughput satellite technologies provide more bandwidth and data at lower costs, making satellite internet a viable solution to deliver essential broadband services to low population density and remote areas as part of a USO.

1. Satellite Internetthe satellite internet company
www.satelliteinternet.co.uk
Achieving Universal Service
• Mike Locke
• does satellite
have a role to
deliver the
Universal
Service
Obligation?
Satellite's Role in Achieving Universal
Service INCA Conference ExCel 19 Oct 16

2. Satellite Internetthe satellite internet company
www.satelliteinternet.co.uk
Achieving Universal Service
• DCMS –
2015
Superfast satellite
should provide a
workable solution for
the most remote
properties.
Satellite's Role in Achieving Universal
Service INCA Conference ExCel 19 Oct 16
• eEnvoy - 2002
• Mike
Locke
Satellite is:
Universal
Available
Affordable

3. Satellite Internetthe satellite internet company
www.satelliteinternet.co.uk
From USC to USO
• Universal Service Commitment of 2Mbps is
available via satellite just about everywhere.
• Digital Economy Bill 2016
• every UK household to have legal right to fast
broadband
• Minimum speed of 10Mbps guaranteed through
Universal Service Obligation
• properties in “remotest areas” may have to
contribute to cost of installation
• USO – what uses should be publicly
subsidised?
Satellite's Role in Achieving Universal
Service INCA Conference ExCel 19 Oct 16

4. The purpose of the USO
A USO may meet a number of needs, but these have cost implications. Which are our ‘must
haves’? (This is in part a political rather than a technical question)
? Preventing social exclusion
? Capturing network externalities
? Access to public services
? Enabling household economic participation
? Full access to unlimited entertainment content
? Rural/urban parity
? Any business anywhere
The relevant EC Directive speaks of ‘functional internet access’ and requires that it be
‘provided in a cost-effective manner’
Brings a significant
increase in the cost of
the USO

5. The conceptual scope of the USO can have dramatic implications for
the technical requirements
• Some of the applications which are most
demanding bring relatively little in the
way of externalities
– 4K TV, games downloads, rapid other
downloads
• Excluding 4K and games, and slowing
other downloads, makes a sharp
difference to required bandwidth
• Even this scenario leaves in much usage
with limited externalities (YouTube, HD TV
streaming, leisure web surfing …)
Bandwidth requirement distribution
(Australia 2023)
Base
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
0 10 20 30 40 50
Portionofhouseholds
4-min excl demand, Mbps (Downstream)
'Externality
only'
Note: Unconstrained demand
Source: Communications Chambers for Australian
government

6. Satellite Internetthe satellite internet company
www.satelliteinternet.co.uk
HTS – High
Throughput
Satellite
• More
bandwidth
• More data
• Lower cost
Satellite's Role in Achieving Universal
Service INCA Conference ExCel 19 Oct 16

7. Satellite Internetthe satellite internet company
www.satelliteinternet.co.uk
Satellite Internet:
Achieving a
Universal Service
today
• Essentials everywhere
• Cost per site ~ £4-500
• Sufficient speed and data
for “public good” or
“functional internet access”
• 20M10 @ £19.95 pm
• Only cost-effective solution
for low population density
Satellite's Role in Achieving Universal
Service INCA Conference ExCel 19 Oct 16