Guidance

Papa Stour Service Demonstrator: project brief and assessment criteria

Updated 9 December 2024

1. Project Brief 

1.1 Island Context 

This is a project aimed at transforming connectivity on Papa Stour, a remarkable island located to the west of the mainland Shetland Islands.

Papa Stour is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and its surrounding seas are designated as a Special Area of Conservation due to the diverse wildlife supported by unique cave and reef formations. It is currently permanent home to just more than 22 people, despite having had a much higher population in the past. Efforts to support the sustainability of the island have been held back by a lack of available housing, infrastructure and essential services, including broadband and mobile service. 

The island is home to a historic kirk (church) founded in 1806, which houses a visitor information section offering insights into local history, along with postcards, artworks, and souvenirs. The kirk is being repurposed to allow the building to be used as both as a kirk and multi-functional community hub and visitor centre (Kirk development project). The project aims to generate activity on the isle by improving facilities for the community, improving services for visitors and generating economic activity. The Kirk Project works on site commenced 23rd January 2023.   

The island’s rich heritage includes Neolithic and Norse sites, with the main settlement at Biggings, just west of Housa Voe. Visitors can reach the island by the Snolda ferry (several days a week, subject to weather conditions) from West Burrafirth or via inter-island flights from Tingwall to the Papa Stour airstrip. Popular activities include walking, kayaking and diving. The Hole of Bordie is a major attraction – at over 300 metres, it is one of the longest sea caves in the world. 

The former primary school building is currently mothballed and the handful of children on the island are schooled elsewhere. The building is used as a community meeting place. 

1.2 Current digital connectivity and services 

Broadband and mobile provision on the island is generally poor, with limited commercial investment having been made and mobile signal only available from the mainland of Shetland. DSIT has already intervened through government’s Very Hard to Reach Alpha Trials1, with the first European commercial deployment of a Flat Panel satellite terminal installed at the school. This project has significantly improved connectivity, allowing the community better to engage with online services and resources. Further public access is provided near the ferry landing point. However, we now seek to build upon this project and our understanding of island needs to enhance and broaden service provision. 

1.3 Scope of proposal 

We propose to utilise assets, knowledge and capabilities to develop a broader ‘small island’ showcase for hybrid satellite-wireless provision. The challenges on Papa Stour are substantial – we need to develop a future proof, technology advanced, reliable, sustainable solution, but one that is also both financially realistic (within the financial and technical means of the community, local authorities and suppliers to fund and manage in the long term). Given the beauty and history of the island, this needs to be achieved in a sympathetic manner which will not impede island life or any opportunities for economic growth based on it’s unique character.

We aim to combine Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Geostationary Orbit (GEO) user terminals to create an innovative satellite backhaul array solution. This solution will not only enhance connectivity for local residents and tourists but also support heritage and conservation activities. 

Our demonstrator project could benefit from the existing terminals on the island and integrate them. Shetland Islands Council (SIC) control a number of assets on the island, and provide some basic utility services, as well as key transport links. This project is an opportunity to demonstrate how an integrated satellite-wireless solution could be provided and managed on a ‘whole community basis’ and be technically supportable and sustainable without substantial on-island personnel. 

It is crucial to establish a clear inheritance plan from the outset. Our goal is to provide lasting connectivity improvements, ensuring that the benefits extend well beyond the pilot phase and do not diminish once the project concludes. This plan may involve partnerships with local service providers, community ownership models, or long-term investment strategies to ensure the ongoing operation of the network assets deployed. The service design needs to anticipate monetisation to achieve financial sustainability where appropriate, without impeding growth or placing undue burden upon the population. 

1.4 Cultural and environmental sensitivities 

Papa Stour’s status as a protected site for both wildlife and heritage means that all interventions must be sensitive to the local environment and culture. Suppliers and contractors involved in the project will need to consider: 

• minimal environmental disruption: the island’s designation as a Special Area of Conservation and its Site of Special Scientific Interest status means that any installations, especially those in remote or ecologically sensitive areas, must be carefully planned to avoid disrupting wildlife habitats. The use of existing infrastructure where possible, as well as non-invasive installations will be crucial in maintaining the island’s ecological balance
• cultural heritage: the island is home to several important historical sites, including Neolithic and Norse remains, as well as the historic kirk (church) established in 1806. The kirk development project, currently underway, aims to repurpose the kirk as a multi-functional community hub and visitor centre. Any installations near these heritage sites should respect the cultural significance of the area, ensuring that they do not detract from the island’s historic character or interfere with conservation efforts
• tourism considerations: Papa Stour’s limited population increases with seasonal visitors who are drawn to activities such as walking, kayaking, and exploring local attractions. Connectivity solutions should not only serve residents but also be robust enough to accommodate the increased demand during peak tourist seasons, without compromising quality or reliability

1.5 Key benefits and potential applications 

Enhanced connectivity on Papa Stour will benefit a wide range of activities, improving both the daily lives of the island’s residents and the experience of visitors. The demonstrator  project has the potential to support: 

• heritage and tourism development: the kirk development project, which is transforming the historic church into a multi-functional community hub and visit centre, will directly benefit from improved internet access, enabling digital exhibits, live streaming events, and offering Wi-Fi for visitors. This could increase visitor engagement and boost the island’s economy
• conservation and research efforts: the improved connectivity will support wildlife monitoring and environmental research activities (narrow band/IOT applications), providing real-time data access for conservationists working to protect the island’s marine and terrestrial ecosystems
• local services: access to reliable internet will enable residents to engage with essential online services, including telemedicine, remote work, and distance learning. This is especially important for a small community with limited on-island resources. It will allow the local council to better monitor and maintain services
• tourist experiences: with better connectivity, local businesses and tourism operators could offer enhanced services to visitors, such as guided tours via mobile apps, real-time updates on ferry schedules, and emergency communication for adventure activities like kayaking and diving

1.6 Social, technical and logistical considerations for suppliers 

Given the island’s remote location and protected status, potential suppliers must account for the following: 

• community engagement: with a small population, community consultation and engagement will be key to ensure the success of the project. Local organisations can help to facilitate this, but suppliers must consider user-centric design when proposing solutions and developing systems and services capable of being adopted and used by such communities is a key project aim
• logistics and transportation: Papa Stour is only accessible by ferry (or by air, by arrangement). Ferry schedules are weather-dependent, and not daily. There is limited accommodation on the island.  Suppliers will need to plan carefully for the transportation of equipment and personnel, with allowances for potential delays
• durability and low-maintenance installations: due to the island’s harsh weather conditions, equipment must be designed to withstand exposure to saltwater, strong winds, and the general wear and tear of a remote environment. Low-maintenance solutions that require minimal on-site intervention will be ideal
• energy efficiency: the island’s limited infrastructure means that equipment must be energy efficient, with ample resilience designed into the solution. Several renewable power options may be viable on Papa Stour

1.7 Funding 

The UK Space Agency will make up to £1 million available for co-funding of the proposed solution. 

2. Assessment criteria 

2.1 Approach and methodology 

There should be a well-considered approach to the project with clear goals, including a developed comprehensive project plan with clear timelines, risk register, milestones, and deliverables. We expect to see a thorough assessment of technical and commercial risks, with clear mitigation and contingency plans in place to address potential failures or market uncertainties. 

The approach should demonstrate respect for the residents and environment, and that potential disruptions to the community have been considered. Clearly identify risks and put mitigation strategies in place. 

A maintenance plan should be developed for regular system checks and prompt troubleshooting, including some time to source local technicians, train residents to deal with small issues, or establish a remote support system to handle technical issues. 

The system should implement robust cybersecurity measures to protect against vulnerabilities, including encryption and real-time threat detection. Additionally, the solution must ensure full compliance with data protection regulations (for example, GDPR) to safeguard user privacy. 

The project must comply with relevant national and international regulatory frameworks governing satellite and wireless communications. Spectrum management strategies should be in place to ensure the system operates without causing interference. 

2.2 Commercial viability 

The solution should seamlessly integrate with existing terrestrial and satellite communication networks, adhering to relevant industry standards (for example, 5G, satellite communication protocols) to ensure compatibility and future readiness. 

The solution should demonstrate ease of deployment and provide a positive user experience, with feedback gathered from end-users to validate accessibility, performance, and usability. 

The trial should demonstrate operational cost-efficiency, including ongoing maintenance, bandwidth, and personnel costs. Consideration should also be given to ensuring that the final solution is affordable and accessible to the local community. 

The solution should demonstrate the potential for high speeds at a reasonable price point, with consideration to wider adoption by the market if successful. 

2.3 Financial return 

There should be a satisfactory financial return to the UK space sector, including to the lead applicant and their partners and supply chains.  

We will consider whether the benefits of the proposal are suitably distributed within a sustainable UK or ESA Member State supply chain. We will look to see how the supply chain is incorporated into the project, to ensure maximum benefits. As such, consortium bids will score highly. 

2.4 Innovation and technical considerations 

The solution should demonstrate strong network performance in terms of latency, throughput, and reliability. The system must also be scalable to support increasing users, data traffic, or geographical coverage without compromising performance. 

The solution should ensure the connectivity solution footprint covers the remote island. Ensures backup power systems are in place to maintain operation during power outages.  

Assess the bandwidth requirements of the island’s population and plan for future scalability. Ensure data privacy for the users, complying with relevant data protection regulations.  

2.5 Wider social, environmental benefits and community engagement 

A thorough needs assessment should be conducted involving the local community to understand their communication requirements and preferences. We would like to see some provision of training sessions for the local population on how to use the new communication services with ongoing support to address any user issues or questions. 

The service must be affordable for the local population and must not be withdrawn at the end of the project.  

We expect to see a focus on reducing the environmental impact of the trial, including responsible resource use, waste management, and carbon emissions. Environmentally sustainable design and renewable energy solutions should be incorporated wherever possible. 

The programme should demonstrate its ability to reduce the digital divide, particularly in remote or rural areas. Community engagement will be important to ensure that the solution addresses societal needs and maximises positive social impact.