Could a new type of broadband connection narrow the European digital divide?

In many developed countries, broadband connectivity is almost a given. A list of the most switched-on countries for broadband shows that, in the top 20, many are in Western Europe including the UK, with South Korea coming out on top. Worldwide, close to 40% of all people are connected to the internet in some way, showing that universal coverage is a long way off.

In Europe, there appears to be some sort of divide. While the UK enjoys 100% broadband coverage along with the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg, it’s not the case elsewhere on the continent. Many newer members of the European Union don’t enjoy the same level of broadband coverage, especially away from the major cities, but why is this prevalent and are there any solutions?

A question of cost

In many countries that recently became EU members such as Poland, Romania, Slovenia and Latvia, access to broadband seems to be limited to the larger conurbations. Anyone living in a remote town or village may find themselves having to do without, much to their dismay. This can be attributed largely to a lack of financial resources, where the cost of a mass-rollout is too high for some.

To introduce broadband for all, it might prove to cost too much for many poorer member states, although some like Bulgaria seem to be performing pretty well according to a map from Broadband for All. Logistics are an issue too, as connecting far-off corners of a country such as Finland to the internet can be tricky, especially if the weather makes things even worse.

Solution in the sky

Broadband for All, a campaign with the backing of the EU, states on its website that 100% coverage is possible throughout the Union thanks to satellite broadband, but can it happen? In the short term, some countries’ governments may look at trying to improve what they have already in terms of fibre-optic connections, but satellite may be a cheaper and more fool-proof option.

Some believe that satellite broadband is the missing piece in the jigsaw as far as getting all of Europe online is concerned. As mentioned in this blog post, getting those who live in rural areas where getting even the most basic landline connection is impossible, satellite could come to their rescue and give them the opportunity to surf without worrying about slow speeds.

Image source: http://www.akamai.com/

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