We recently had the pleasure of hosting esteemed guests from various sectors at the picturesque Madley Communications Centre, nestled amidst the serene Herefordshire countryside, bordered by the majestic Malvern Hills and the formidable Black Mountains. Within this sprawling 63-acre site, the Madley facility stands as the cornerstone of BT Group’s dynamic space strategy.
Over its 46-year history, Madley has evolved into our primary satellite earth station, assuming a role of unprecedented strategic significance within BT Group. With the escalating importance of satellite and non-terrestrial solutions in the framework of a diverse network, Madley’s relevance today arguably surpasses any previous era.
As one of our esteemed guests aptly noted, satellite connectivity constitutes an indispensable element of network resilience, particularly as a backup to terrestrial networks. Madley’s significance in ensuring such resilience cannot be overstated, boasting a comprehensive array of over 60 satellite dishes ranging from 32 meters to a mere 75 centimeters in diameter. The inherent capacity of satellites to furnish ubiquitous, high-speed coverage globally, while mitigating certain risks that afflict terrestrial solutions, underscores their indispensability in fortifying network resilience.
Hence, satellite backhaul is seamlessly integrated into our connectivity portfolio, augmenting the delivery of both fixed and mobile services to our clientele. Bolstering this endeavor is our specialized Emergency Response Team (ERT), headquartered at Madley, poised to swiftly deploy on-demand connectivity in response to network threats, courtesy of an extensive fleet of rapid response vehicles and cells-on-wheels.
Facilitating Connectivity in Remote Areas
As the satellite landscape evolves, so does BT Group’s overarching space strategy. The proliferation of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, offering enhanced performance metrics with lower latency, has invigorated the space sector. Conversely, Geostationary Orbit (GEO) satellites, although fewer in number, remain stalwart options for near-global communications due to their fixed location above Earth.
This evolution underscores the growing significance of satellite connectivity within a heterogeneous network paradigm, pivotal to our ambition of achieving nationwide connectivity in the UK by 2028. While 90% of this connectivity will be facilitated by terrestrial networks like 4G, 5G, and full fiber, bridging certain remote areas necessitates the utilization of satellite and high-altitude solutions.
Consider the case of Lundy Island, situated 19km off the Devon coast. Through a collaborative effort between OneWeb, the UK government, and BT Group, the island’s 28 residents gained access to fast, reliable internet via LEO satellite, seamlessly integrated with BT’s core network. This connectivity not only enriches the islanders’ daily lives but also supports vital conservation and research endeavors, besides serving as a crucial lifeline in emergencies.
Ultimately, the convergence of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks heralds the advent of truly global heterogeneous networks, ensuring high-availability for mission-critical applications irrespective of location, be it offshore, maritime, or aviation. Since its inception in 1978, Madley has been instrumental in the UK’s satellite communications landscape, retaining its pivotal role as space-based connectivity and resilience assume ever-greater significance in the nation’s infrastructure.
