BT and OneWeb deliver high-speed satellite connectivity to Lundy Island

BT and OneWeb, in partnership with the UK government, are now delivering high-speed, low-latency internet connectivity to Lundy Island, North Devon, providing it with reliable connectivity for the first time.
BT and OneWeb deliver high-speed satellite connectivity to Lundy Island
Image Credit: OneWeb and BT

London, UK, 21 July, 2023 – BT and OneWeb, in partnership with the UK government, are now delivering high-speed, low-latency internet connectivity to Lundy Island, North Devon, providing it with reliable connectivity for the first time.


Sitting 19 kilometres off the coast of North Devon, Lundy is the first real-world example of how BT and OneWeb’s strategic partnership can deliver game-changing benefits to remote locations both in the UK and beyond.

Connectivity is delivered through the installation of an Intellian dual parabolic terminal on the island itself. This small, outdoor satellite antenna system connects to OneWeb’s constellation of over 630 LEO satellites which orbit at a distance of just 1,200km, enabling high throughput and low latencies to even the most remote locations. This is connected to an indoor satellite modem to provide two-way data connectivity.

The connection then travels from User Terminal (UT) to Satellite Network Portal (SNP) via the LEO satellites, where it is backhauled across OneWeb’s Wide Area Network to handover to one of BT’s points of presence (PoP) in London. From the PoP, traffic is routed back into the internet or delivered into BT’s 21C core network.

Serving a permanent community of 28 residents, the new satellite connectivity will deliver multiple benefits to the island, from supporting payment systems in the local tavern and shop to powering local conservation efforts in an area which in 2010 became the UK’s first Marine Conservation Zone.

Beyond Lundy, OneWeb’s LEO satellites are a crucial part of BT’s ambition to provide high-speed connectivity anywhere in the UK by 2028, with use-cases expanding beyond supporting ultra-remote communities to include eco-tourism, search and rescue, and temporary deployments like festivals.

As well as providing broadband connectivity to locations such as Lundy, the two companies are also trialling ways of enhancing mobile connectivity via satellite, and in May completed a live field trial transmission of 4G data using an LEO satellite link.

Greg McCall, Chief Networks Officer, BT Group, said: “It’s brilliant to be bringing high-speed, low-latency connectivity to Lundy Island in partnership with OneWeb and DSIT. The installation will not only have a transformative impact on the island and its residents, but is also a significant milestone in demonstrating the value of satellite communications and the crucial role such solutions will play in enabling digital connectivity across the entirety of the UK and beyond.”

Stephen Beynon, Chief Commercial Officer, OneWeb, said: “We are excited to be working with BT and DSIT across Lundy Island, as we deliver consistent and stable connectivity to its community. This project illustrates the importance of collaboration between OneWeb and its partners, to maximise the benefits of LEO solutions for rural and hard-to-reach areas. We look forward to continuing our partnership with government and the telecoms industry to improve access to connectivity services globally.”

Sir John Whittingdale MP, Minister for Data and Digital Infrastructure, said: “This is yet another example of brilliant British ingenuity being brought to bear on our commitment to deliver a digital revolution in all parts of the country. Our Alpha Trials programme is bringing high-speed connectivity to some of our hardest to reach places, from Papa Stour in the Shetland Islands to Lundy. Working with OneWeb and BT, the island will now have access to high-speed, reliable connectivity delivered by satellite which will not only unlock new opportunities for residents, but also support ongoing conservation efforts.”

Rosemary Ellis, Warden of Lundy Island, said: “The connectivity provided by BT and OneWeb is already delivering fantastic benefits, speeding up frustrating jobs that used to take hours. For example, I was able to upload an hour-long talk on our conservation success stories in just a few minutes, when it had previously failed to send multiple times. This frees me up to get out of the office to focus on surveying our wildlife, and I can much more easily engage with researchers and students. As a resident of the island, Coastguard Rescue officer and Community First Responder, it also gives me peace of mind that if we need any mainland medical advice, we can easily video-call from the village.”

Source: OneWeb Press releases Read More


Recent Content

Connecting the unconnected requires more than just broadband buildout. National digital inclusion strategies focus on affordability, digital skills, devices, and sustainable infrastructure to empower all communities. Learn how federal programs, state initiatives, and public-private partnerships are reshaping broadband access across America.
The FCC has launched a formal review to modernize its satellite spectrum sharing rules, addressing outdated EPFD limits and enabling more efficient broadband delivery. The proposed changes target the 10.7-12.7 GHz, 17.3-18.6 GHz, and 19.7-20.2 GHz bands, and follow calls from industry leaders like SpaceX for reforms that support next-generation satellite networks. The initiative is expected to enhance competition and fuel U.S. leadership in space innovation.
Batelco by Beyon and Nokia are partnering to launch Bahrainโ€™s first private 5G network at Aluminum Bahrain (Alba). The network will drive smart manufacturing through real-time monitoring, automation, and AI-driven analyticsโ€”paving the way for Albaโ€™s digital transformation and advancing Bahrainโ€™s Industry 4.0 strategy.
Rakuten Mobile and AST SpaceMobile completed Japanโ€™s first satellite video call using unmodified smartphones in April 2025. This test marks a major advancement toward Rakutenโ€™s Saikyo Satellite Service, set to launch in 2026, which will expand mobile coverage across remote and disaster-prone regions using ASTโ€™s LEO satellite network.
Verizon posted better-than-expected Q1 2025 earnings, with revenue and profits rising. But a record loss of 289,000 postpaid phone subscribers sent the stock down, as investors focused more on churn than cash flow. While prepaid gains and stable guidance offered some optimism, analysts remain cautious about Verizonโ€™s subscriber strategy and pricing pressure.
Whitepaper
Telecom networks are facing unprecedented complexity with 5G, IoT, and cloud services. Traditional service assurance methods are becoming obsolete, making AI-driven, real-time analytics essential for competitive advantage. This independent industry whitepaper explores how DPUs, GPUs, and Generative AI (GenAI) are enabling predictive automation, reducing operational costs, and improving service quality....
Whitepaper
Explore the collaboration between Purdue Research Foundation, Purdue University, Ericsson, and Saab at the Aviation Innovation Hub. Discover how private 5G networks, real-time analytics, and sustainable innovations are shaping the "Airport of the Future" for a smarter, safer, and greener aviation industry....
Article & Insights
This article explores the deployment of 5G NR Transparent Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs), detailing the architecture's advantages and challenges. It highlights how this "bent-pipe" NTN approach integrates ground-based gNodeB components with NGSO satellite constellations to expand global connectivity. Key challenges like moving beam management, interference mitigation, and latency are discussed, underscoring...

Download Magazine

With Subscription

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Scroll to Top