LTE at the end of the tunnel?
Arqiva and Alcatel-Lucent have partnered to roll out a Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless tech trial in the Preseli Mountains to demonstrate the viability of a neutral-host wireless network as a route to covering broadband ‘notspots'.
The corporate couple reckon this is the first LTE trial in the UK to use the 800MHz radio spectrum freed up by digital TV switchover and can deliver speeds of over 50Mbit/s.
They picked the Preseli Mountains as the area has already switched to digital TV and it has a low population across a large area, making its typical of areas that are currently not covered by existing fixed networks, or have seriously slow broadband.
Over the next few weeks, industry and government reps are expected to visit the area to see the technology in action.
Rob Hamlin of Arqiva told the BBC the firms aim on making the technology available to all ISPs so businesses and homes in rural areas can getter a better broadband choice and service.
To receive the signal, customers reportedly need a small antenna or box that sits on their windowsill to provide Wi-Fi. Ofcom is apparently mulling over what to do with the frequencies previously used by analogue TV which are now freed up by digital TV.
Lakh Jemmett, Alcatel-Lucent's president, North Europe said: "LTE technology offers the potential to accelerate the availability of broadband services to individuals and businesses that do not have access to services that many of us take for granted. It also paves the way for access to a plethora of new applications."
Steve Holebrook, MD of Arqiva's government, mobile & enterprise business added: "We firmly believe that the combination of LTE technology, the 800MHz spectrum and a neutral-host commercial model is the best way of providing rural communities with broadband quickly, efficiently, and cost-effectively."
