Superfast satellite internet coming to UK trains, planes and boats

Ofcom has just announced it’s going to free up satellite bandwidth to allow superfast internet access on trains, planes and boats in the UK.

The new broadband speeds should deliver ten times faster connections than are currently available while also being more stable. That means around 10Mbit/sec for each passenger.

The technology works using earth stations on vehicles which recieve large amounts of data from satellites in geostationary orbit. This method of connection will track the satellite closely for a stable connection, even at high speeds. Each earth station can receive up to 50Mbit/sec.
Philip Marnick, group director of spectrum at Ofcom, said: “We want travellers to benefit from superfast broadband on the move at the kind of speeds they expect from their connection at home.”
“Today’s decision means that operators of trains, boats and planes will soon be able to begin the process of making these valuable services available to their passengers.”
Ofcom expects to accept applications to license ship-mounted earth stations by February, and is working on aircraft versions now for a similar release time. Train based earth stations should be good to go by this summer.