|
| |
|
Broadband Suppliers:
Home >>
Broadband News >>
UK Business News >>
Ofcom Orders Opening Up Of Wireless Broadband |
| |
UK Broadband
News
|
|
|
|
|
Ofcom Opens Up More Of The Wireless
Broadband Spectrum
|
 |
|
Rural communities will be offered increased
choice of wireless broadband options following a government decision to open
up more of the spectrum.
Communications regulator Ofcom, which
will manage applications for the spectrum, said the newly released 5.8GHz
Band C spectrum range will offer significant benefits to people who live and
work in remote communities.
Ofcom anticipates that service providers will offer rural consumers and
businesses always-on broadband connections with download speeds of up to
1Mbps using the frequency.
The 5.8GHz spectrum is suitable for remote areas as it can transmit over
distances of 17 to 18 kilometres, compared to the five to six kilometres
achieved by 2.4GHz spectrum.
Wireless broadband networking firm Alvarion claims that 5.8GHz systems can
also offer better performance in dense radio frequency environments by using
Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) modulation.
OFDM allows signals to bounce off buildings, foliage and other obstacles to
reach previously inaccessible places, taking away the need for directional
antennas required for the 2.4GHz radio spectrum.
Alvarion's UK and Ireland country manager, Rob Mortimer, said: "There will
be two main markets for 5.8GHz. The first will be for operators that want to
provide services to high-end, small to medium-sized businesses. There will
also be a drive for the rural market."
Service providers will have to offer consumer deals comparable with, or
cheaper than, DSL in order to compete.
Internet Service Providers and community groups can apply to Ofcom for
licences and can install and operate wireless terminals from 2 February,
when the electronic interface that allows registration will be switched on.
Stephen Carter, chief executive of Ofcom, said in a statement: "Broadband
Britain should be for all of Britain, not just urban communities. We look
forward to the introduction of innovative new services using this newly
released spectrum."
Ofcom is charging ISPs fees of £1 per terminal installed, subject to a
minimum annual charge of £50 per year.
Last month BT began trialling wireless broadband in rural areas, in a bid to
reach its target of 100 per cent broadband coverage in the UK by 2005.
The trials are taking place in households and businesses in Ballingry in
Scotland, Pwllheli in Wales, Porthleven in Cornwall and Campsie in Northern
Ireland.
|
|
|
|
|
Broadband-Suppliers.com
|
|
Broadband-Suppliers.com is your
link to the world of super-fast surfing! |
|
| Choose which
broadband supplier or
broadband suppliers you are interested
in to read a little more.
If you already know what you want, click on the link for
the full range of broadband packages and services provided by your chosen supplier.
|
|
|
| |
|
