The future of rural broadband: innovations for remote living

Rural broadband is a term that refers to the provision of internet service to rural areas, where the population density, terrain and infrastructure make it difficult or costly to deliver high-speed and reliable connectivity. Rural broadband is essential for remote living, as it enables access to information, education, health, entertainment and social interaction, as well as opportunities for economic development, innovation and entrepreneurship.

But rural broadband is also a challenge, as many rural areas still suffer from poor or no internet service, creating a digital divide between urban and rural communities. According to UK government statistics, around 600,000 premises (or about 2% of UK housholds) do not have access to decent broadband, defined as a download speed of at least 10 Mbps and an upload speed of at least 1 Mbps.

To bridge this gap, various technologies and initiatives are emerging to provide rural broadband and improve rural connectivity, which is the ability of rural areas to access the internet and other digital services. Here are some of these innovations.

Wireless internet

One of the main options for providing rural broadband is wireless internet, which is a type of internet service that doesn’t require a physical connection, such as a cable or a phone line, to deliver data. Wireless internet can be delivered through various technologies, such as satellite, cellular or WiFi.

Satellite broadband is a type of wireless internet service that uses satellites orbiting the earth to transmit and receive data. Satellite broadband can provide coverage to remote and hard-to-reach areas, where other types of internet service are not available or feasible. Satellite broadband can offer speeds of up to 100 Mbps, depending on the provider and the plan. However, satellite broadband also has some drawbacks, such as high latency, which is the delay between sending and receiving data, weather interference, data caps and high cost.

Mobile broadband is a type of wireless internet service that uses mobile network towers to deliver data. Mobile broadband can offer speeds in the hundreds of Mbps, depending on the network and the device. However, mobile broadband also has some limitations, such as variable signal strength, data caps and high cost.

WiFi broadband is a type of wireless internet service that uses radio waves to deliver data. WiFi broadband can offer speeds of up to 1 Gbps, depending on the router and the device. However, WiFi broadband also has some challenges, such as limited range, interference and security.

5G

5G is the fifth generation of mobile network technology, delivering faster speeds, lower latency, and higher capacity than previous generations.

Compared to previous generations of mobile broadband, even faster connection speeds are available, while latency is often decreased.

However, 5G tends to perform best at close range to mobile towers, and like other forms of mobile broadband performance tends to decrease in busy areas or during busy times. Still, it remains a viable option for remote users in areas with good 5G coverage.

Rural digital inclusion

Rural digital inclusion is the goal of ensuring that rural communities and individuals have access to and can benefit from the internet and other digital technologies. Rural digital inclusion involves not only providing rural broadband, but also addressing other factors that affect the digital divide, such as affordability, skills, awareness, and content.

Rural digital inclusion is important and valuable for rural areas and remote living, as it can improve social and economic development, education, health, and well-being. Rural digital inclusion can also foster innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship, as well as civic participation, cultural diversity and environmental sustainability.

To achieve rural digital inclusion, various stakeholders and actors need to work together, such as governments, regulators, providers, communities, and users. Rural digital inclusion also requires a holistic and inclusive approach, that considers the needs, preferences, and aspirations of rural people, as well as the opportunities and challenges of rural contexts.

Rural broadband is a key enabler of remote living, as it provides access to information, communication, and services that can enhance the quality of life and work of rural people. However, rural broadband is also a complex and dynamic issue that requires innovation, collaboration and inclusion to overcome the barriers and gaps that exist between urban and rural areas.

Rural connectivity and rural digital inclusion also need innovation, collaboration, and inclusion, to overcome the barriers and gaps that exist between urban and rural areas.

Bridging the gap: powerful solutions for reliable rural broadband

Living in a rural area shouldn’t mean sacrificing high-speed internet. Access to the online world is essential for everything from remote work and streaming entertainment to staying connected with loved ones and exploring educational, financial and healthcare resources.

Unfortunately, the digital divide often leaves rural communities behind, struggling with slow or unreliable internet service. At Zen we’re committed to changing that. We offer a range of solutions specifically designed to bring fast, dependable broadband to even the most remote areas of the country.

Zen broadband

Like the best rural broadband providers, Zen offers SOGEA and Full Fibre broadband connections, which are two types of wired internet service that use fibre optic cables to deliver data. SOGEA stands for Single Order Generic Ethernet Access, which is a service that allows customers to get broadband without a phone line. Full Fibre, also known as Fibre to the Premises (FTTP), is a service that delivers fibre optic cables directly to the customer's home or business, without using any copper wires. Zen’s broadband options offer speeds of up to 900Mbps, and we remain committed to seeing as many homes as possible being able to access our broadband services.

See what’s available at your address

Are you tired of slow internet holding you back? Then it’s time to choose a provider who understands the unique challenges of rural broadband. At Zen, we’re not just delivering internet; we’re enabling possibilities.

If you’re wondering how to get fast internet in rural areas, follow this link and enter your postcode to see what speeds are available at your address.