VIDEO – Voneus Brings Gigabit Wireless Broadband to St Clears in Wales

Rural UK broadband operator Voneus, which continues to deploy a gigabit-capable fixed wireless access (FWA) and full fibre (FTTP) networks across poorly served rural areas, has announced that they’ve deployed their wireless network across the small Carmarthenshire (Wales) town of St. Clears.

At present St. Clears is home to around 3,200 people and, in only 90 days since the first build, Voneus has managed to deploy a gigabit wireless network in the area. The new network appears to harness Cambium Networks’ 60GHz cnWave mesh technology, which is the same solution they’ve used in other areas too.

The rapid deployment is also said to have only been possible thanks to the operator’s close collaboration with Carmarthenshire County Council, which took a proactive approach. “Their support was instrumental from start to finish and the Council’s broadband engagement lead played a vital role in helping us navigate local processes and ensure a smooth, efficient rollout,” said a spokesperson for Voneus.

Residential customers of the service typically pay from £38.99 per month for a 250Mbps (symmetric) speed service on a 24-month term (first month free and free installation), which rises to £74.99 for their top 900Mbps package. But it should be said that Openreach’s rival full fibre (FTTP) network also reaches some properties in the town and is due to cover more of the area in the near future.

The company’s most recent accounts, which cover the year to 31st March 2024, reveal that turnover has increased by 34% to £4.417m, while gross profit shrank by -17% to £768.6k and total employees grew from 156 to 238. But the latter doesn’t take account of the recent redundancies and build slowdown (here).

The company’s loss before tax has also more than doubled to £36.65m (up from £14.83m), although their net assets have grown to be worth £93.43m (up from £23.32m).