However we get it, the internet is a precious resource in terms of communication, information, entertainment and, in some cases when the nearest shop is several miles away from home, commerce. However, those living away from the major urban centres are left with little option but to rely on an old-style dialup connection in order to surf the net, but that might be coming to an end.
BT, the largest internet service provider in the UK, decided to end their dialup service on September 1, leaving around 1,000 customers without an internet connection of any description. It’s likely that several of BT’s main rivals are set to follow suit in the coming months, citing falling demand for dialup services and expenditure on the rollout of superfast broadband across the country.
Few options left
For anyone who has been left without an internet connection because of the withdrawal of a dialup service, they might wonder what options they have available if they are to remain online. It could be as simple as finding another ISP who can offer a dialup connection, although they are few and far between, but the alternative may sound a little bit grim.
If hoping to receive a broadband connection through their phone line, those in remote area may have to wait several years before they even stand a chance of getting connected. This can prove to be incredibly frustrating, possibly leading them to consider going without an internet connection at all. Fortunately, there may be a sky-borne solution to that problem.
Saviour in the sky
Satellite broadband is a fairly recent innovation, but for those away from the major conurbations who are desperate to receive a decent internet connection without relying on dialup, it has made getting online far less tricky than it might have otherwise been. Andrew Walwyn, CEO of BigBlu, said that going for satellite broadband makes sense as an alternative to dialup:
“We were surprised by the press reports of the numbers of households still persevering with dial-up internet when ‘quality of life’ in the modern world is so intrinsically linked to access to fast broadband.
“Satellite is the perfect fit for these people who were digitally disadvantaged, but the challenge for us is that we don’t know who or where they are.
“BT hasn’t seen fit to present the satellite alternative, although there are now tens of thousands of happy satellite broadband customers who were originally forced to rely on dial-up. We’re trying to get our message out to these people to come and try 20 Mb satellite broadband and to see how it can improve their world”, he commented.