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UK Government Invests £160 Million in Satellite-Powered Broadband and 5G Coverage
The UK government is planning to invest £160 million in satellite-powered broadband and 5G coverage, marking the country’s most significant ever investment in satellite communications. The funding aims to support the development of new constellations and provide connectivity in remote and rural areas, reducing the digital divide.
The Connectivity in Low Earth Orbit scheme (CLEO) will leverage the UK’s established satellites industry to drive the innovation of new constellations. The government aims to launch Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites that can resist interference from hostile parties, strengthening communication infrastructure.
The proposed funding would be split, with up to £100 million as a grant to expand the space sector and an additional £60 million allocated to the European Space Agency’s (ESA) UK-backed Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) program. ARTES supports UK industry in delivering commercial satellite communications infrastructure.
The UK Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary, Michelle Donellan, emphasized the importance of tackling the digital divide and empowering citizens through investments in research and development. The goal is to level up the country and stimulate economic growth by creating high-quality jobs.
Harshbir Sangha, the missions and capabilities delivery director at the UK Space Agency, described the investment as a vital step towards the agency’s objective of becoming a global leader in next-generation satellite communications technologies. This includes building the capacity to serve future high-volume constellations.
This announcement follows the reintroduction of the government’s National Space Council, co-chaired by the Science and Defence Secretaries. The council’s role is to coordinate space-related policies and ensure that the UK maximizes opportunities in the space sector to drive job creation and economic growth.
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