Vodafone UK Bring 3G to Croxton and Reepham in Rural Norfolk

Mobile operator Vodafone has expanded their Rural Open Sure Signal (Femtocell) technology to make 3G based Mobile Broadband and voice services available to two additional rural villages in Norfolk (England) – Croxton and Reepham. Existing coverage in Blakeney has also been extended

The service works by harnessing an existing fixed line broadband connection in order to link with Vodafone’s network and boost outdoor mobile coverage. Overall the aim is to expand the service to 100 communities (here and here) and they’re currently deploying to new sites at a rate of one or two a week until March 2016.

Apparently the two latest additions to Vodafone’s ROSS coverage are already seeing around 2,500 data sessions a day.

Jorge Fernandes, Vodafone UK CTO, said:

“I am delighted that Croxton and Reepham have joined our Rural Open Sure Signal programme. Mobile connectivity is an essential service for communities and businesses to thrive in today’s digital world and support local economies. As part of the Rural Open Sure Signal programme, we are committed to investing in our network to provide access even in remote locations where it is otherwise almost impossible to reach.

The amount of data passing through the units already shows the significant benefit the technology is making to members of these communities. I am really excited to see the transformation for Croxton and Reepham, and the other Norfolk communities which have been successful for this pioneering programme.”

Admittedly the project won’t make a massive dent in Vodafone’s overall network coverage and it can’t reach some of the most isolated communities due to a lack of good fixed line broadband, although clearly it is helping to improve the service in some areas where mobile coverage was previously very unreliable.