A COUNCIL in Scotland is considering the use of Elon Musk's Starlink, which uses satellites to beam a broadband signal down to Earth, in primary schools.
Fife Council has notified parents of schools in the local area that plans are currently being considered to install Starlink to handle the increased demand that devices place on the current network infrastructure.
Starlink has about 5000 satellites in space around the globe and the technology is being used as part of a UK Government trial to connect rural homes and isolated areas to better internet service.
Musk's company is being considered alongside other technologies, as part of the wider project.
No decision has been made on whether Starlink will be awarded the contract, and schools will be assessed on a school-by-school basis (mobile signal vs satellite signal).
Fife Council's head of education, Shelagh McLean, told The National: "Fife Council's ‘Transforming Learning Fife’ programme is set to provide every P6 to S6 pupil across Fife with a personal device, marking a major milestone in enhancing digital learning opportunities. The digital device roll-out will begin later this year and by the end of the 2025/26 academic year the council aims to distribute over 35,000 devices across Fife schools.
"The current network infrastructure in most schools will be able to handle the increased demand these devices will place on it. However, we are considering Starlink, as well as other mobile technologies, as a backup connectivity solution for some schools.
"We take guidance from the National Cyber Security Centre on the security suitability of any solution we intend to deploy.
"We recognise our responsibility to carry out our procurement activities in an economically, environmentally and socially responsible manner. Any contract we do award will be in line with national public sector procurement policy.”
Starlink is already used to provide internet on ScotRail trains in the Highlands.
