Rural 5G deprivation hinders nearly a million Brits

A recent study commissioned by Vodafone UK and conducted by WPI Economics has shed light on a significant digital divide prevailing in Britain's most deprived communities.

Titled 'Connecting the Countryside', the report revealed a striking contrast in 5G accessibility between rural and urban areas. According to the findings, 46 percent of rural deprived areas are 5G not-spots—in stark contrast to just 2.7 percent in urban deprived communities.

The study pinpointed five...

8 November 2023 | 5G

SoftBank to distribute OneWeb’s services throughout Japan

SoftBank and OneWeb have inked a distribution partnership agreement to usher in a new era of satellite communication services throughout Japan.

OneWeb's Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite-based services will be at the heart of delivering enhanced connectivity across the nation. LEO satellites, positioned closer to Earth, enable lightning-fast communication with minimal latency.

Integrating OneWeb’s cutting-edge LEO satellite services with SoftBank's closed-domain...

12 September 2023 | Broadband

Vodafone to use Amazon’s LEO satellite network to extend 4G/5G

Vodafone and Amazon's ambitious Project Kuiper have unveiled a strategic partnership to expand the accessibility of 4G and 5G services.

The venture will leverage Project Kuiper's cutting-edge low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network and promises to deliver connectivity in regions that have long been deemed logistically challenging and economically prohibitive for traditional communication infrastructure.

Dave Limp, Amazon's SVP for devices and services, expressed the...

6 September 2023 | 5G

Churches partner with Vodafone to enhance rural coverage

Vodafone and Net CS have joined forces to embark on an ambitious project to enhance mobile technology in 11 Church of England parish churches across the country.

The primary goal of this partnership is to provide robust and reliable 4G coverage to rural communities in the vicinity of these historic churches.

The first phase of the project has already been completed, with the installation of the new mobile technology at two churches: the Blessed Virgin Mary in Brompton...

27 July 2023 | Networks

London Tech Week kicks off with initiatives to boost UK telecoms

The 10th London Tech Week has commenced with a series of ambitious initiatives aimed at solidifying the UK's position as a telecoms leader.

Some of the initiatives announced this week include:

Supporting local authorities in procuring and testing "smart lampposts" to enhance connectivity within communities Signing a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the UK and Australia to establish a roadmap for future telecoms collaboration Connecting the remote...

12 June 2023 | 5G

UK publishes new Wireless Infrastructure Strategy

The UK government has launched a new Wireless Infrastructure Strategy aimed at delivering 5G connectivity to all populated areas by 2030, as well as investing in the next generation of connectivity.

The strategy includes a comprehensive 6G plan to ensure that the UK is at the forefront of the next generation of wireless technology. The government has also established a national mission, supported by up to £100m ($130m) of initial funding, to secure the UK’s place in “future...

11 April 2023 | 5G

OneWeb is ready to rival Starlink after weekend launches

OneWeb successfully launched 36 new satellites over the weekend, marking a key milestone for the UK-based outfit.

The successful deployment and contact of the satellites were confirmed by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) after a launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India.

“NSIL would like to thank OneWeb for believing in our capabilities and giving us this important opportunity to undertake the mission,” said Radhakrishnan D, Chairman-cum-Managing...

28 March 2023 | Hot Topics

EE expands 5G as part of renewed drive to improve rural connectivity

Cows in a field in Scotland.

EE has disclosed new details of its nationwide investment to connect the UK to 5G, with the technology reaching hundreds of rural communities across the UK for the first time.

A series of new innovations that will boost the range, resilience and energy efficiency of mobile connectivity in the years ahead have also been unveiled.

5G rollout windfall for rural communities

EE’s 5G network, which already reaches nearly every major UK town and city as well as...

14 February 2023 | 5G

£1bn rural network programme gives connectivity boost to Scottish communities

View across Tweeddale, from Manor Sware, Peebles, Scotland.

John Lamont MP has welcomed the significant investment being made to upgrade connectivity throughout rural parts of Scotland during a visit to an existing Virgin Media O2 mast in the Scottish Borders.

As part of the Shared Rural Network (SRN) programme, new masts will be built in the south of Scotland, while existing masts will also be upgraded. These network improvements will transform mobile coverage for individuals and businesses in the region, boost choice and productivity,...

8 February 2023 | Hot Topics

BT and Stratospheric Platforms will test beaming 5G from aircraft

BT is partnering with Stratospheric Platforms (SPL) to test beaming 5G from a High-Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) aircraft.

The duo hopes the project will provide a solution to a key challenge of mobile connectivity: providing coverage to the most rural and difficult-to-reach areas.

“We’re delighted to be partnering with SPL to start realising the huge potential of HAPS aircraft to further strengthen our UK 4G and 5G network technology leadership,” said Tim...

31 January 2023 | 5G