UKB Networks Start Rollout of Wireless Superfast Broadband in Swindon

Some 6,000 premises in parts of Swindon (Wiltshire, England) should soon benefit from a new superfast broadband (24Mbps+) capable wireless network, which will go live on 6th June 2016, after UKB Networks confirmed that their early network deployment phase had begun.

The £1.9 million contract aims to cover 19,500 premises in parts of the town that have been left neglected by commercial fixed line operators, although several proposed masts for the urban part of North Swindon (representing about 7,000 premises) were rejected and alternative locations are currently being considered by the planning authority (here).

In the meantime UKBN has already begun installing equipment elsewhere around the town (e.g. central Swindon, Highworth, Chiseldon and parts of Old Town), which is now expected to go live on 6th June 2016 and will help to support the roll-out into surrounding rural areas.

Apparently over 6,000 residents and businesses from parts of the SN1, SN2, SN3, SN4, SN5, SN6 and SN26 postcodes will be able to buy the new wireless broadband service, although the Superfast Swindon website doesn’t yet list any ISPs for the network (this should change soon).

Superfast Swindon Statement

The Superfast Swindon network build is in full swing, with equipment being installed across the town. These sites will give access to over 6,000 residents and businesses who cannot currently receive superfast broadband and will create a foundation for the rural rollout. Once this part of the network is built and fully tested we aim to be live in June 2016.

The bulk of planning applications have been granted for the rural locations and we aim to have masts operational in the majority of rural areas by July – August 2016. Work is ongoing to find appropriate mast locations in North Swindon.

It’s noted that some residents from West Swindon, Chiseldon and Highworth have also been invited to help participate in a free beta test of the service before it officially goes live next month. Once live the network will then be extended out to other areas, such as Castle Eaton, South Marston, Liddington, Wanborough, Bishopstone, Wroughton and surrounding areas.

Meanwhile BT recently confirmed that they were expanding their deployment of 330Mbps capable ultrafast Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband technology to reach additional premises outside of the Haydon Wick (North Swindon) area (here), such as around Taw Hill, which was originally an area that UKB Networks intended to cover.