ThinkingWISP Expand Wireless Broadband Further into South Norfolk UK

Fixed wireless broadband ISP ThinkingWISP, which was first established in 2011 as a local partnership between InTouch Systems, the Norfolk Rural Community Council and AF Affinity to improve Internet access around rural Norfolk and some parts of Suffolk in England, have confirmed plans to expand their existing network.

The original network began with funding of just £37k by installing a transmitter at Norwich Airport to link with another mast in Marsham, which then distributed the signal out in all directions to fixed home antennas (aerials). Since then it has been expanded and the service also offers broadband download speeds of up to 10Mbps (3Mbps uploads).

Now a new mast has been installed in the market town of Wymondham and this will also be used to cover several more local rural communities including Attleborough, Hethersett and Long Stratton.

Steve Temple, Director of InTouch Systems, said (EDP24):

“Next year will see the further expansion of our ITSwisp broadband network. We are determined to do our bit to provide rural areas with access to reliable fast broadband services, being Norfolk based we fully understand the difficulties and frustrations faced by small businesses, schools and homes.

We want to lead the broadband revolution and ITSwisp with its innovative infrastructure will bring the broadband of the future, into Norfolk right now.”

The development is good news for isolated rural areas but the top service speed of 10Mbps, which hasn’t been improved since the network was first launched, is beginning to look a little dated. Naturally this will still be better than a lot of isolated communities can already receive but it’s also well placed to deliver something even faster when funding allows.

Currently prices start at just £15.99 inc. VAT per month for a basic 3Mbps package (0.5Mbps uploads) with a meagre 10GB usage allowance, which rises to £50.99 for the top 10Mbps business connection that includes an “unlimited” usage allowance (Fair Usage Policy). On top of this there’s also the hefty £199 inc. VAT installation charge to consider. Customers can however get a free install by paying a higher monthly rental and adopting a 24 instead of 12 month contract.