A FAMILY from Meidrim whose broadband connection was ‘akin to dial-up in 1998’ have got themselves connected with help from their MP.
Frustrated by slow or non-existent broadband in his area and negative feedback from local people, Simon Hart – Member of Parliament for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire – has taken action to show how a new satellite broadband service has solved the problem for a family in his constituency.
Simon worked with Avonline Broadband to install an Avanti satellite broadband service for the Billingham family from Meidrim, near Carmarthen.
It will provide them, for the first time, with access to a fast, reliable internet connection. The benefits that the Billinghams now experience on a daily basis demonstrate what is possible using the latest superfast, reliable satellite broadband services that are available today to thousands of similarly unconnected UK homes.
The family has been hampered by a very slow, unreliable internet connection – something which affects a number of people in the area, as a packed-out meeting in Whitland earlier this year testified.
They were, like many other consumers, unaware that they could get superfast broadband using satellite technology until their service was recently installed. Previously, they experienced terrestrial broadband that Mr Billingham described as: “Akin to dial up in 1998.”
As one of the last 5% of unconnected UK homes, there was little likelihood of fibre-based broadband being available to the Billinghams, even in the long term. The family now experience a range of benefits and emotions as satellite broadband has brought them online. For example, their son is now able to do homework at home, instead of doing it during his lunch break or staying after school. The family is also able to access online services, such as Amazon, Tesco, eBay and Internet banking. These benefits all improve the Billingham’s quality of life.
The internet service is based on readily available Avanti Communications satellite broadband technology that has been installed by Avonline Broadband. As part of the British Government’s satellite broadband subsidy scheme, led by Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK), other local constituents in their rural community can benefit from a £400 installation voucher for satellite broadband. Any consumer can apply for a voucher by visiting their county council website or talking to Avonline, and get up to 30Mbps Superfast broadband.
Mr Billingham said: “We need data to live our lives. Access to fast, reliable internet services provides the instant gratification that we only forget when it is not present. Satellite broadband has changed the way my family have been able to carry out basic tasks, such as banking, shopping and homework, as well as the fun things. I would recommend it to our neighbours.”
Simon Hart, Member of Parliament for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, said: “Access to the Internet is not a luxury, but a necessary part of people’s personal and professional lives. There is no reason why constituents in rural areas should not have such services, as it is available right now. The Government has identified satellite broadband as the technology of choice to connect the last 300,000 homes in the UK. My constituents can take advantage of this, and the free £350 installation voucher to get satellite broadband services. I sincerely hope that the Billinghams are just one of many households who are able to benefit from this deal and the service it will enable.”
Craig Penfold, Chief Commercial Officer of Avanti, said: “Affordable, reliable satellite broadband with speeds of up to 30Mbps is available to 100% of UK households now. Our work with MPs, such as Simon, shows how easy it now is for families and businesses to benefit from superfast broadband, and to access financial support from their county council.”
Mark Wynn, Managing Director of Avonline, said: “Changing perceptions with consumers and businesses on the reliability and affordability of satellite broadband is important if the UK is to connect every household to high speed broadband by 2020. Families, such as the Billinghams, are discovering the immediate benefits that satellite technology can provide, having given up on a reliable internet connection from other sources. We guarantee 100% UK coverage and typically get people installed in about a week from order.”
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