Solway Comms Moots FTTP and Wireless Broadband Expansion to Deeside

Carlisle-based ISP Solway Communications has put in a new application for Code Powers from Ofcom (i.e. quicker / easier approval of civil works) and at the same time revealed that they’re considering a major expansion of their wireless and 1Gbps FTTP broadband network.

At present Solway, which operates both a Fibre-to-the-Premise (FTTP) and Fixed Wireless Access network (transmitting on 24GHz and 5.6GHz links), typically focuses on serving homes and businesses in the City of Carlisle and surrounding areas within a 20-mile radius.

In particular, it uses wireless links to connect about 350 business customers in an area between Silloth, Brampton, Gretna and Southwaite. Meanwhile their FTTP network is divided between a network to residential areas and a separate fibre-optic network to the Kingmoor Park and Kingstown industrial areas.

However the new application for Code Powers also hints at some of the operator’s future plans, which includes extending coverage into the England-Wales border area of Deeside and beyond.

Ofcom Statement

The Applicant has confirmed its intention to expand its network to provide fibre-optic and wireless connections for use by both residential and business customers in Deeside as well as to certain new residential developments and industrial estates in England and Scotland more generally.

[Solway Comms] has [also] explained that demand for its network is now spread across the United Kingdom and that it has received expressions of interest from residential property developers to install 1Gb FTTP connections in 12 new developments with 17,000 new houses.

As usual Ofcom’s preliminary view is that granting Code powers to Solway “would benefit the public” and such applications are rarely opposed. Curiously Ofcom’s website states that the consultation period will run until 5th May 2017, although we believe this is a typo and the correct year is 2016.