In today’s interconnected world, reliable satellite connectivity is vital for remote operations, particularly in industries such as energy, mining, humanitarian efforts, and maritime activities. With numerous satellite operators entering the market to offer service across Europe, and specifically in the UK, a variety of viable connectivity options and alternatives are now available to meet diverse operational needs.
Since its launch in 2021, Starlink has gained significant traction in the UK and more broadly across Europe as well. Speedcast was the first authorized Starlink integrator, deploying the low Earth orbit (LEO) technology for over a third of our customers across maritime and enterprise applications. This includes offering Starlink as part of a primary, multipath, or dual-LEO service across remote sites.
In terms of internet speeds, Starlink offers an impressive 25 to 220 Mbps for downloads, 5 to 10 Mbps for uploads, and a latency under 99 milliseconds. Residential customers of Starlink do not receive guaranteed service, which means there is no specific data volumes or protection against outages or peak usage time. For enterprise customers, Starlink is starting to roll out a 99.9% service level agreement (SLA), which will improve predictability and mitigate risks associated with downtime, latency spikes and throughput issues. Starlink’s user-friendly terminals are easy to install, contributing to widespread popularity — with some regions, including London, seeing sold out capacity. So, what alternatives do you have if Starlink isn’t available in our area or operating location?
Eutelsat OneWeb LEO Service
Eutelsat OneWeb has been actively deploying satellites to provide tens of thousands of gigabits per second of capacity to customers, especially in northern latitudes of Europe. As a OneWeb Global Distributor, Speedcast has experience deploying the LEO service for customers, noting average speeds of 50 Mbps down and 10 Mbps up, with latency comparable to Starlink.
OneWeb distinguishes itself through its guaranteed service or committed information rate (CIR), which is essential for carriers and enterprises relying on real-time data and connectivity for critical applications in remote locations. OneWeb offers a range of terminal options, from parabolic antennas to flat panels, accommodating various asset types from vehicles to Arctic research camps.
SES O3b MEO Service
In addition to their Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites, SES operates a constellation of Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellite, providing extensive coverage across Europe. SES offers a range of equipment options tailored for various applications, from mobile to fixed installations. Depending on the service plan, SES can deliver speeds up to 300 Mbps, making it suitable for demanding applications, including video streaming. Their O3b mPOWER network employs electronically steered phased-array antennas, supporting thousands of beams per satellite, with capacities ranging from 40 Mbps to 10 Gbps.
Speedcast Ku-band VSAT GEO Service
Speedcast’s Ku-band VSAT network delivers robust coverage throughout Europe, with enhanced capabilities for offshore operations. It provides a variety of antennas and modems designed for both land and maritime use, ensuring a committed information rate (CIR) that guarantees minimum bandwidth is always available. This reliability makes Speedcast Ku service ideal for a wide range of applications, from high-quality voice services to data transfer. With decades of operational experience, Speedcast Ku’s VSAT network remains a dependable option when other technologies fall short. For a full look at our connectivity suite, visit here.
Hedge Against Uncertainty & Be Ready for Future Options
Leveraging a multi-path connectivity solution can mitigate risks associated with unexpected events, including anything from weather impacts, natural disasters, geopolitical issues, or technology and satellite failures. Likewise, when designed to be future proof, a multipath solution can enable you to plug and play a variety of connectivity options so you’re operations are prepared for anything.
If reliable internet access is important to you and your operations, having a comprehensive, robust, and redundant connectivity solution is essential. And to seamlessly integrate multiple connections into a single, secure service, consider Speedcast’s SIGMA intelligent edge platform. SIGMA’s enterprise-grade SD-WAN continuously monitors and selects the best connectivity option, ensuring consistent application performance and maximum availability at all times. SIGMA can also effortlessly combine new technologies, such as Kuiper from Amazon, or Lightspeed from Telesat, once those offerings come to market.
When evaluating satellite connectivity alternatives for remote operations within the UK, and even across Europe, it’s important to consider the unique requirements of your operation. Whether in energy, mining, humanitarian work, or maritime industries, understanding the coverage, equipment, speeds, reliability, security capabilities, and costs associated with these options will empower you to make informed decisions. With the right connectivity solution in place, businesses can enhance operational efficiency, maintain crucial communication, and ensure safety even in the most challenging environments.
Speak with our experts to explore the connectivity options that best suit your operational needs.