Suffolk’s Wilford Wireless Broadband Pilot Set for Network Expansion

The Suffolk Coastal District Council in England has said that a successful pilot of a rural fixed wireless broadband network, which covers a number of areas (Shingle Street, Aldeburgh etc.) and was first launched in 2012 (here), could soon be expanded to cover more locations.

A Scrutiny Committee recently reviewed the Wilford Bridge Broadband Project, which saw Buzcom deploy its superfast (30Mbps+) capable wireless broadband service (FibreWiFi) across the related coastal area using some £12,000+ of public investment (the final total including private contributions is not stated). As part of this some kit was install on top of church towers.

Happily the outcome of this review was positive (after some digging we found the document) and proposed that, “based on the evidence of the successful delivery of an affordable wireless system on the Wilford peninsula, alternative and achievable broadband services be more rigorously explored, encouraged, supported and facilitated by [the council].”

At present the Better Broadband for Suffolk scheme is already working with BT to make “superfast broadband” (24Mbps+) services available to 95% of local homes and businesses “before 2018” (the long term aspiration is 100% by 2020), but it’s envisaged that the fixed wireless solution could now be used to fill in some of the more isolated areas where BT might struggle to reach.

Scrutiny Committee Statement

“While high speed, fibre broadband has reached cabinets in large villages and smaller village centres, many of the more remote, rural locations, hamlets, clusters of houses on the edge of settlements and dwellings some distance from a cabinet still do not have access to a comparably improved broadband connection. Currently Better Broadband for Suffolk is still not able to guarantee that an affordable, fast broadband service will reach all households throughout all rural areas.

The Wilford broadband project demonstrates that a local wireless network, using church towers to relay the signal, can deliver a reliable 12 Mbps service. This has meant that residents and businesses who are too far away from fibre networks can benefit from improved bandwidth – which will allow real-time video links for Skype, responsive interactive applications, high definition TV, large data transfers and better security systems.

In this context it is clear that high speed broadband, as supplied by Suffolk’s chosen, national provider [BT], is unlikely to meet the needs of all rural residents. Suggested alternatives of satellite or 4G connection are likely to be costly.

Set against this the topography of East Anglia could allow affordable wireless coverage to reach most broadband ‘not-spots’. Costs for wireless connection are relatively low as much less infrastructure is required; monthly subscriptions are less than £20 and come with 100GB of usage.

However, signals are transmitted on a line-of-sight basis and receiving and transmitting aerials must be in sight of each other. In order to extend wireless links and meet the needs of further households, it is necessary to secure more bandwidth and use strategically positioned towers to facilitate this.”

It’s interesting to note the figure of 12Mbps, which is below the 30Mbps+ capability stated by FibreWiFi. Sadly it’s not clear whether the committee is referencing this performance as a mean or median speed for the relevant area. Similarly they don’t state if the speed is only for downloads, uploads and or symmetrical.

In any case locals, supported by District Ward Councillors, have set up a Community Interest Company (CIC) – Suffolk Superfast Broadband – in order to facilitate future plans for an expansion of the wireless network. The new company will continue to work alongside FibreWiFi / Buzcom.

Apparently work is already underway to make use of a once inactive communications tower near to Martlesham, which has now been given power and could go live next week. The upgrade could further improve the existing coverage and help performance, although much more will be needed if Suffolk is to tackle all of its slowspots.

The alternative, as the review states, is to wait for whatever is offered by Better Broadband for Suffolk and BT (usually FTTC or FTTP). “This leaves many residents with uncertainty and ultimately a service which is potentially far more costly than that available to those who live in urban areas,” said the committee.