Success for alternative technologies in Govt broadband pilots

Pilot projects set up to see how alternative broadband providers can bring superfast broadband to harder to reach rural areas have been hailed as a success.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has published positive results from test schemes in its report Emerging Findings from the BDUK Market Test Pilots. The pilots started more than a year ago to assess the suitability of alternatives to the bigger broadband suppliers such as BT, and see whether different technology could bring faster broadband speeds to isolated communities.

The technologies tested as part of the scheme included satellite broadband and the use of a ‘hybrid’ approach, linking different technologies together to reach rural areas.

The Country Landowners’ Association (CLA), which has been campaigning to bring high-speed connections to rural areas, is also calling for more support for wireless, microwave and mobile technology to tackle the problem.

CLA president Ross Murray said: “The CLA has been calling for some time for Government to end its reliance of one type of technology, so called fibre to cabinet, in delivering superfast broadband to rural communities. We should embrace all technologies, especially wireless solutions, that can contribute to getting fast, reliable and affordable broadband to rural homes and businesses.”

The alternative technologies studied in the pilot schemes have been trialled in both operational and commercial models to assess their suitability for bringing high speed internet connections to some of the remotest areas.

Digital Economy Minister Ed Vaizey said: “Our pilot scheme has demonstrated that alternative technologies can help us take superfast speeds to the hardest to reach areas of the UK and I’m very pleased that smaller suppliers are now competing for, and winning, contracts for the next phase of the roll-out.”

hSo provides managed networks designed for business. To get an instant cost for a leased line at your location, visit our online leased line price checker.