What are the Benefits of Satellite Broadband for Rural Areas

Why rural broadband still matters in 2025

While the UK has done well to bring full fibre and ultrafast broadband to many towns and cities, there are still a lot of rural communities that have problems with slow broadband speeds. If you live in a rural location, you might find that it is hard to make good video calls, downloads take a long time, and there are not many choices for streaming. This happens even though life today often depends on having good internet. For the UK to improve, there needs to be more focus on helping these rural communities with better fibre and broadband.

The main issue is that some places are far from exchanges, have old copper cabling, and the wireless broadband coverage can be patchy. But the good thing is that broadband services in rural areas have gotten a lot better. With new funding and more broadband packages, there are now plenty of options for faster and more stable broadband in the countryside.

What type of broadband is available in rural areas?

In a lot of rural areas, people may use different broadband types. It often depends on their postcode. You can use a broadband coverage checker to find out what broadband options are at your address.

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What’s the best broadband for rural communities?

There is not just one best broadband out there for everyone. The best broadband for you will be different from what works for someone else. It comes down to the type of broadband you have around your area and what you want to use it for. Your usage also matters when you choose a broadband. The best broadband for you will depend on these things.

If you use your phone a lot, it is a good idea to ask about hybrid plans. These plans mix fibre broadband or wireless with VoIP apps on Android or iOS. This way, you can make voice calls using the broadband or fibre too.

Rural broadband speeds: What’s realistic?

The UK government says that superfast broadband is any speed over 30 Mbps, and ultrafast is anything over 100 Mbps. Many people in UK cities and towns can get gigabit speeds on their broadband. But UK homes in rural places usually get less.

Before you decide, use a broadband speed test. You should also talk to your current provider. Ask them about the real speeds in your area. This will help you know what to expect.

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Key rural broadband providers to consider

Some rural areas can now get help from Airband customer programs. These programs give people cheaper installations and Airband Talk Plans. This means they do not need a normal home phone anymore. With Airband Talk, you can stay in touch in a new way. These Airband Talk Plans are made to help those living in rural areas. Being an Airband customer lets you get the service and support you need. This is a good change for many who want a better and up-to-date way to talk on the phone.

How to compare broadband in your rural area

To find the best broadband where you live:

1. Use a broadband coverage checker with your full postcode to see what is available.
2. Look at different broadband packages and compare them for speed, price, and the contract.
3. Find out if line rental is a part of the offer or not.
4. Watch for any faster broadband plans that will come to your area soon.
5. Talk to your neighbours and ask which providers give good, stable wifi.

Remember to compare broadband at least once each year. Many people in rural communities stick with their current provider for too long. They may miss out on better broadband choices that could be there for them now. It is good to look at what is out there so you can get the best broadband for your needs.

What is Airband and how does it help rural homes?

Airband is a company that brings broadband to rural areas. They provide both full fibre and wireless broadband options. Airband helps places that are hard to reach get good internet. Their wireless broadband and full fibre services cover areas like Shropshire, Devon, Herefordshire, Oxfordshire and several others. If you want fast fibre or wireless broadband in a place where it’s hard to get, Airband can help.

Features include:

• Airband Talk: Get digital voice service through your broadband
• Softphone app: Use your landline number right on your smartphone
• Airband customer support: UK teams ready to help
• No hassle switching: Many areas have free installation
• Optional bundles: Save by getting broadband and voice together

They are also working to give people better broadband by putting money into local areas. They spend time with people in the community to help close the digital gap in rural places. With this work, they want everyone to have good broadband.

Tips to improve broadband in rural locations

• Put the routers in the middle of your home and keep them away from walls.
• Use wired connections when you need to do something important, like calls or downloads.
• Try not to stream during work calls so you can get the most bandwidth.
• Get rid of old gear and upgrade it, so you don’t run into extra hassle.
• Use mesh wifi kits or range extenders if your home is big or has rooms that are far from each other.

Some routers will now find interference on their own and change channels by themselves. This is good for people who live on big country properties.

Correct as of 18 June 2025

FAQs about broadband in rural areas