The WiSpire project, which aims to rollout faster rural broadband internet access in Norfolk by installing wireless ( Wi-Fi ) transmitters on top of local church spires (similar to what Allpay does in Herefordshire and Shropshire), has finally enabled its service in the village of Postwick after the whole project was stalled by questionable health fears (WiFi Radiation) in September (here).

The effort is, at present, a joint venture in Norfolk between the Diocese of Norwich and UK ISP FreeClix. A consistory court hearing in October 2011 ruled that those warning of Wi-Fi radiation lacked "evidence and proof which is positive in nature and capable of evaluation" to support their cause.

The ruling meant that WiSpire could continue and on Saturday Postwick officially become the fourth community to benefit from download speeds of up to 6Mbps (1Mbps upload), "unlimited" usage (Fair Usage Policy applies) and a 1 month rolling contract at £24.99 per month. This follows the first successful services in Blofield Heath, Ringland Hills and Beeston. Now it's going to go even further.


The details of any further expansion have yet to be decided, although Chelmsford Diocese has already expressed an interest and there are tentative plans for some degree of national deployment. Churches that take part usually receive a modest income and benefit from the ability to use broadband enabled security cameras to help protect against theft (sadly some disgusting people do steal from Churches).