What Satellite Connectivity Can Bring to a Small Village

I recently had the pleasure of helping the small village community that I have grown up in. The village has 1 remaining service which is the Village Hall- there is no pub, no shop, no post office. This Village Hall is the only meeting place for residents both old and young, and because of the fantastic rural setting, is often the only way the elderly residents can meet and socialise. The Village Hall provides a meeting place for Scouts to quilting groups and hosts many annual events such as the Harvest Festival and Craft Fayre.  It is run as a charity and all funds raised go towards the upkeep and maintenance of the building. 

Even though the Hall was built in the 1970s, it has never had any form of communication- yes no phone line never mind internet connectivity and no cellular coverage. This had become an issue for health and safety reasons as well as preventing other groups using the hall. Without regular groups and people hiring the services of the hall, no funds can be raised to maintain and keep this vital building for a small village.

Despite contacting and having many meetings with BT/ Openreach to install a much needed phone line for this essential community service over a period of 12 months, no one was able to deliver what was needed. The committee had lost patience and asked if I could help. 

I have now installed a Satellite Broadband terminal. It was not an easy install as the building is wooden and extremely exposed on the top of the hill. I knew funds were limited and wanted to keep costs as low as possible, but the service is installed in a matter of weeks- not months or years.  This will provide the Village Hall with the ability to provide new groups and users of Internet services, and more importantly a critical line to the outside world if needed in the event of an emergency. 

This demonstrates how providing a simple connectivity solution can help maintain and evolve a small corner of the world. It also means that the only remaining service in the Village can continue to be supported, providing a hub of activities for all residents for the future as well as today.