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Written question asked by Mark Pritchard (Conservative) on Monday, 28 October 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 30 October 2024. It was answered by Chris Bryant (Labour) on Tuesday, 5 November 2024 on behalf of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

Starlink

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of trends in the level of reliance on Starlink in the (a) private and (b) public sectors; what steps he is taking to help increase competition in satellite technologies.

Answer

The government acknowledges rapid evolutions in the global satellite communications sector. Monopoly rarely serves the public interest and a competitive market is important to ensuring public and private sector value. We are keen to secure UK leadership in commercial satellite communications, which is why the UK has:

  • delivered the Connectivity in Low Earth Orbit programme to develop the next generation of UK satellite communications technologies;
  • led the European Space Agency’s Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems programme;
  • supported a series of satellite broadband trials with a range of suppliers; and
  • acquired a stake in UK based low Earth orbit satellite operator OneWeb, which supports over 400 highly productive UK jobs.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
11232
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Competition Satellites Starlink
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk