The Countryside Alliance hosted a parliamentary roundtable on rural digital connectivity, bringing together parliamentarians, policymakers and industry experts to examine how next-generation technology could finally close the digital divide facing rural communities.

Chaired by Lord Herbert, Chair of the Countryside Alliance, the discussion focused on the growing role of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite technology. He highlighted its potential to reach the hardest to connect rural areas, while stressing that innovation will only deliver real benefits for rural communities if the regulatory framework keeps pace. Regulatory reform, he emphasised, will be essential to realising that potential.

Parliamentary leadership on rural connectivity

The session was sponsored by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter MP, Member of Parliament for Suffolk Coastal and Chair of the Labour Rural Research Group, reflecting growing cross-party recognition that rural connectivity is fundamental to economic growth, access to public services and social inclusion.

Opening the meeting, Lord Herbert thanked Ms Riddell-Carpenter for her support, as well as Justin Kempley, Victoria Adams and Gonzalo di Dios from Amazon Leo, Amazon’s satellite broadband initiative, which contributed research and technical expertise to inform the discussion.

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter emphasised that reliable broadband is no longer a luxury but essential infrastructure for rural communities. She highlighted that without it, businesses struggle to grow, public services fall behind and residents can become isolated, underscoring that the discussion was about understanding what new solutions can realistically deliver for rural constituencies such as her own.

The Countryside Alliance reiterated its long-standing commitment to rural digital inclusion and fair access to essential services. The Alliance emphasised its technology-neutral approach and that what matters is not the delivery mechanism but whether connectivity is affordable, reliable and fit for rural needs.

Reliable broadband is now as vital to thriving rural communities as transport, healthcare and utilities. Yet many rural areas continue to experience unequal access and poor service, with serious consequences for local economies and quality of life.

Insights into next-generation satellite solutions

Parliamentarians heard detailed evidence from the Amazon Leo team on how satellite could complement existing terrestrial infrastructure and overcome physical and economic barriers that have hindered rural rollout to date.

The Amazon Leo team said this technology has the potential to deliver reliable connectivity to communities that have been underserved or entirely unserved for far too long. 

Regulation and resilience

A recurring theme was the need for modernised policy and regulatory frameworks to support innovation. Participants discussed how regulatory reform, including updates to spectrum and globally set Equivalent Power Flux Density rules, could unlock greater capacity in the UK while improving competition and choice.

Satellite connectivity was also recognised as a vital component of national resilience, complementing undersea cables and terrestrial networks that are increasingly vulnerable to disruption, including from hostile actors.

Looking ahead

Crucially, the roundtable was designed not only to inform but to gather views directly from parliamentarians, with time set aside for open discussion on constituency priorities and next steps.

The Countryside Alliance will continue to work with government, parliamentarians, industry and policymakers to ensure that rural communities are not left behind as the UK’s digital infrastructure evolves and that regulatory reform enables innovation to deliver real, practical benefits for the countryside.