North Lincolnshire based internet provider Diamond Net has just launched high speed wireless broadband that can deliver download speeds of up to 50Mbps to the local residents and businesses.

The network operator UK Broadband offers the 4G technology called LTE (Long Term Evolution) under an MVNO agreement with Diamone Net.

The service which requires a receiver dish to be installed on the roof-top was reported to be successfully trialed with 100 local residents between July 2011 and January 2012.

According to the Mike Eckersley, Head of ICT at North Lincolnshire Homes, the area where thousands of users will benefit from the new service, the rollout of  this faster, 50Mbps wireless broadband will enable the people who live in a region which lacks fixed broadband coverage, to get improved digital access.

Moreover, it ‘does not require the use of a phone line’.

“This makes the service more affordable for customers.” he commented.

The service is likely to cost £14 per month including the dish while more details will soon be revealed by the provider.

The major 4G mobile broadband trial that is currently run by BT and Everything Everywhere in Cornwall has been given further extension of six months by the UK communications regulator Ofcom.

With the current 3G mobile networks having the capacity to offer download speed of up to 7.2Mbps, the LTE (Long Term Evolution) based next generation mobile data technology can deliver speeds of over 30Mbps with wider coverage.

According to Ofcom, a fourth of UK (geographically) do not have 3G coverage and the average mobile broadband speed across the UK is just over 1.5Mbps.

Next generation 4G mobile broadband also uses low frequency radio spectrum as well as the spectrum bands which are left unused for commercial purposes.

BT, the one of the partners that rollout 4G mobile data service is the UK’s largest broadband provider which has a task of covering more than two thirds of UK population with its fibre optic broadband which can deliver speed of up to 100Mbps within next four years.

However, rural Britain could lag behind the urban places which easily get private sector investment on building broadband infrastructure. Around 10% of UK, which is largely comprised of rural areas, hope to get faster internet access via mobile broadband and other alternative technologies.

“This trial is enabling us to see at first hand the real difference LTE is making in rural Cornwall and how it could provide an alternative mode of delivery in rural areas to complement fibre delivered broadband.” said Nigel Stagg, the Chief Executive of BT Wholesale.

The trial was launched in October 2011 and according to the claims of the service providers, the volunteers, during the trial, could get up to 7Mbps.

“This trial has been key in investigating ways to rapidly bring 4G LTE to Britain, and Ofcom is helping us do the groundwork to accelerate the UK from laggard to leader.” Olaf Swantee the CEO of Everything Everywhere.

“There’s no doubt that fixed line solutions offer a faster and more reliable broadband service, but there isn’t a single silver bullet to meet the rural broadband challenge. We continue to also assess other potential solutions including other mobile and wireless technologies.” Nigel added.

Mobile broadband provider 3 (Three) is set to launch Long Term Evolution (LTE) based, faster 4G Mobile broadband trial in Maidenhead and Slough by March 2012, it has been reported.

Three will trial the new service using volunteers on the initial phase before expanding it for more customers.

LTE is next generation mobile broadband technology that allows operators to offer improved mobile internet services in terms of speeds as well as coverage. Currently, HSPA or 3G technology can offer theoretical speeds of up to 7.2Mbps.

However, LTE mobile broadband can deliver more than six times faster speeds, comparing to the existing 3G mobile broadband networks. 4G mobile broadband will meet the need of users who access online games and HD videos.

Communications regulator Ofcom is expected to start the 4G spectrum auction process by the end of 2012 and commercial 4G mobile broadband services are set to launch in the UK only by the end of 2013.

So far, major mobile operators including O2, Vodafone and Orange have already conducted 4G trials.

Major UK Telecom firm Everything Everywhere said it is set to build a world-class 4G mobile network for Britain.

The company which owns Orange and T-Mobile revealed its plans to spend £1.5bn on upgrading its existing 3G networks and building superfast, 4G mobile broadband infrastructure. Continue reading →

Birmingham Council has revealed plans to install fourth generation (4G) wireless network to provide high speed mobile broadband access to homes and business across the city. Continue reading →

UK Broadband, the subsidiary of Hong Kong based telecoms operator PCCW, is planning to build the 4G (fourth generation) LTE based mobile broadband networks in the UK by the second half of this year. Continue reading →