Guidance

Rathlin Island Service Demonstrator: project brief and assessment criteria

Published 27 November 2024

1. Project Brief 

This project aimed at enhancing connectivity on Rathlin Island, an island off the coast of County Antrim in Northern Ireland.  

As Northern Ireland’s northernmost point, Rathlin lies just 6 miles off the mainland, with a small but vibrant community of just over 150 residents as of the 2021 Census. However, the island’s population swells significantly with up to 50,000 annual visitors. Tourists are particularly drawn to its wildlife, cultural, and historic attractions. 

The NI Executive previously recognised that the challenges faced by an island community are different from those on the mainland and therefore need to be addressed in a different way. Rathlin is Northern Ireland’s only offshore inhabited island, and the Executive agreed that Rathlin required an Island Policy to support the sustainability of island life and to promote a vibrant island community. 

The harbour area is the heart of Rathlin Island, hosting the most densely populated part of the community. Key amenities like the Manor House, co-op shop, Resource Centre, nurse’s office, Richard Branson Centre (community meeting room) and bar are all located here, along with new social housing developments, the marina/landing stage, and the telephone exchange. 

Rathlin boasts notable attractions such as its historic lighthouses.  

• the East Lighthouse, the island’s oldest, is slated to open as a centre for community, visitors and education, to highlight its historical significance, including the transmission of the world’s first commercial radio signal by Guglielmo Marconi in 1898
• the West Lighthouse houses the RSPB Rathlin West Light Seabird Centre, attracting up to 25,000 visitors annually to witness the seabirds nesting on the cliffs. This lighthouse is also a Grade A listed building, underscoring its architectural value. 

The seas and tides are an important part of life on Rathlin, and the variability of ferry services makes the need for digital communications more acute. 

Rathlin Island is home to at least nine local businesses (according to the Rathlin Development & Community Association), including the community-managed shop. The island’s economy is diverse, with jobs in the ferry service, hospitality sector, RSPB Centre, and conservation roles with LIFE Raft. Additionally, some residents manage farmland for sheep and suckler herds, and a nurse resides on the island. 

Finally, and somewhat unusually for its size, Rathlin plays host to key artistic, cultural, and academic endeavours, which already have a European perspective. The island is host to an Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) project entitled Future Island-Island1, forming part of a wider workstream to support the green transition and develop sustainable tourism practices. The 18 project partners include UKRI (UK Research and Innovation), Ulster University, Queen’s University Belfast, and others from the private sector. However, at present, the project has no connectivity partner. 

1.1 Current digital connectivity and services 

While Northern Ireland has seen significant fibre rollout through Project Stratum, Rathlin Island risks being left behind in these advancements. The quality of the existing networks is very variable, especially outside of the harbour area. Mobile signal comes from the North of Northern Ireland and Scottish Mainland, and many different solutions are used to try to achieve effective and reliable broadband.  

Despite the population and the dynamic economy, the scale of Rathlin Island and the depth of the sound between it and the mainland makes a dedicated replacement submarine cable to the island challenging, and we are exploring alternatives including satellite services.  

There is a temporary LoraWan network on the island at present, supporting a conservation project. There is potential to create a more sustainable future for that network, including conservation, health and safety and asset monitoring, as part of this project. Space based IoT solutions may also afford additional coverage for the existing project, particularly on the Northern and Western (high cliffs) approaches to the Island.  

1.2 Scope of proposal 

Our project aims to bridge this gap and ensure that Rathlin’s residents and businesses can fully participate in the digital economy, whilst also creating a demonstrator for advanced satellite and wireless connectivity. Initially this will benefit businesses, conservation and academic projects, and other organisations on the island, and given the historical link with Marconi and the future development of the East Lighthouse Centre, can later also become a scientific/cultural and educational resource, and be integrated into improved service provision for residents in more remote parts of the island. 

We propose to combine LEO (Low Earth Orbit) and GEO (Geostationary Orbit) terminals and wireless/mobile technologies to create a comprehensive, island-wide connectivity solution. This could include 5G/6G, or proprietary technologies, to both distribute satellite backhauled signal, and to support ‘long links’ to the mainland for further resilience. 

Given the influence of the sea on life on Rathlin, the annual maritime festival and a potential future plan for renewable energy powered ferries, this call could also provide an opportunity to develop and showcase maritime satellite and communication services, and integrated land/mobile solutions. 

This initiative will test the capabilities and economics of innovative LEO/GEO multi-orbit satellite networks, with the potential to support a range of education, research, tourism, and conservation efforts on Rathlin Island. 

Our aim is to ensure that the benefits of improved connectivity are sustained beyond the initial demonstration phase. We are committed to creating a clear inheritance plan from the start to avoid enhancing connectivity only to withdraw it later. 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. 

1.3 Considerations for local and cultural context 

The Rathlin Island community is deeply connected to its heritage, wildlife, and natural landscape. Any proposed connectivity solutions must consider: 

• environmental impact: the island’s protected status due to its rich biodiversity, including important seabird nesting sites, means that all infrastructure must minimise environmental disruption. Suppliers should consider solutions that use existing infrastructure where possible, or small, unobtrusive installations that blend with the natural landscape, and comply with conservation regulations
• cultural sensitivity: Rathlin’s history and culture are central to its tourism economy. Installations near key historical sites such as the East Lighthouse (from where Marconi sent the world’s first commercial radio signal) must be carried out with sensitivity to the island’s cultural heritage. Community and religious sensitivities relating specifically to Northern Ireland should also be observed
• seasonal tourism patterns: during peak tourist seasons, the island’s population increases. The network must be able to handle fluctuating demand, providing consistent service even during high-traffic periods
• access issues: the island must be accessed by boat/ferry, and in addition most roads on the island are limited in width and quality. Road closures and construction require coordination with the community and local authorities, so as not to disrupt island life unduly

1.4 Potential applications and benefits 

Improved connectivity on Rathlin Island will have a far-reaching impact, supporting a variety of key sectors: 

• education and research: enhanced broadband can facilitate remote learning for local children and adult education opportunities. It can also support research initiatives related to the island’s unique flora, fauna, and maritime history. There is also potential for synergy with the Future Island-Island research initiative by supporting the project with a connectivity partner
• tourism and conservation: Rathlin’s attractions, such as the RSPB Rathlin West Light Seabird Centre, draw tens of thousands of visitors annually. Improved connectivity will allow local businesses to offer new services, such as digital tours and real-time wildlife tracking, enhancing the visitor experience while promoting conservation efforts
• local businesses and the economy: reliable high-speed internet will help local businesses expand their online presence, streamline operations, and attract more visitors. For example, the local co-op shop can now process card payments efficiently, and this capability could be extended to other businesses on the island
• emergency services and healthcare: with only one resident nurse, improved connectivity will be crucial for telemedicine applications, allowing residents to access medical consultations and services remotely, and enabling emergency responders to communicate more effectively during crises

1.5 Technical and logistical considerations for suppliers 

For suppliers involved in this demonstration, the following points should be noted: 

• logistical challenges: Rathlin Island can only be accessed by ferry, meaning that installation and maintenance crews must account for potential delays or limited access due to weather conditions. Suppliers should ensure that equipment is robust and requires minimal maintenance
• energy and sustainability: Rathlin has limited access to electricity, particularly in remote areas. Solutions that use low-power equipment or can integrate with local renewable energy sources (for example, solar panels) would be advantageous
• community engagement: The island’s close-knit community is a key dependency. Suppliers should engage with residents, businesses, and organisations to ensure that the solution meets their needs and ensure support to help them make the most of the new connectivity

1.6 Funding 

The UK Space Agency will make up to £2 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 (such as 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 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 programme 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 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  

Ensure the connectivity solution footprint covers the remote island. Ensure 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. 

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 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. 

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 would like to see a reliable and sustainable power source, possibly integrating renewable energy solutions like solar or wind power. 

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.