Britain's largest satellite broadband provider is scrapping connection charges for farmers unable to get a fast broadband service, and who sign up for its ‘up to 22Mbps' satellite broadband service through the NFU (National Farmers Union).
Avonline Broadband has announced it will give free installation and activation for NFU members. The cost would usually be £150 per customer.
Avonline Broadband is the UK's largest satellite broadband provider, and is affinity partner to the NFU. Managing director Mark Wynn said: "Our satellite broadband service delivers download speeds of up to 22Mbps anywhere in the UK immediately, and with more than 1000 systems now installed in farming-related properties we can prove how we are able to help farmers get fast broadband today, no matter where they live. There is no phone line needed and no lengthy wait for an upgrade programme.
Farmers face an ever-increasing Government requirement to make Defra and BPS returns online, and many inevitably encounter the problem caused by their rural location - an inability to adequately access the Internet because of the distance they live from a telephone exchange or fibre optic network.
Mark Wynn added: "It is becoming increasingly clear from the recent announcements by official bodies, and in the Chancellor's Budget statement, that many of those in rural and remote locations have no realistic hope of getting superfast broadband from the large infrastructure providers in the foreseeable future.
"Satellite broadband is their only realistic solution over the next two to five years. Our priority is to make our satellite broadband capacity easily available to those in areas and interest groups where we have a relationship. Members of the NFU most definitely fall into that category. "
Mark Wynn said: "There was speculation that the Chancellor would announce a voucher scheme to subsidise the installation of satellite broadband but his Budget announcement didn't contain any details. So, in the meantime, we are in effect giving a free £150 ‘voucher' to help those who are eligible for our service."
Satellite broadband is an ‘available anywhere' technology that can immediately deliver internet download speeds of up to 22Mbps to any home or business, regardless of location or remoteness.
"With the ability to get installed within a few days and no bundled phone line rental obligations, satellite broadband can open up immediate access to the many benefits of the modern internet, such as downloading movies, making Skype calls and catching up on TV programmes," said Mark Wynn.
