EE to connect over 1,500 rural communities by end-2017

Nieuws Mobiel Verenigd Koninkrijk 2 DEC 2014
EE to connect over 1,500 rural communities by end-2017

UK mobile network operator EE has announced that it will connect over 1,500 rural communities by the end of 2017 using a micro network technology from US equipment provider Parallel Wireless that provides coverage to remote areas with no need for broadband or cable. Starting in early 2015, EE will be making voice services, as well as 3G and 4G mobile data coverage available in communities that currently don’t have reliable mobile or high speed broadband.

These communities are in areas unconnected to traditional network deployments relying on the construction of large masts. EE will build micro networks that wirelessly connect small antennas to a suitable nearby macro site, with no need for cabling. The technology was successfully trialled in the village of Sebergham, Cumbria, where 129 homes and small businesses gained voice and data connectivity from three meshed small antennas.

EE CEO Olaf Swantee said, “With this innovative new technology, we have the capability to connect every community in the UK, and we estimate that we’ll be able to bring reliable voice coverage and high speed mobile broadband to more than 1,500 places for the first time by 2017. We’ve been working closely with government on the long-term ambition to bring voice coverage to more of the UK, and we believe that this world-first technology will demonstrate significant advancements against that vision.”

Categories:

Mobiel

Companies:

EE,  Parallel Wireless

Countries:

Verenigd Koninkrijk

Tags:

Production planning & operations, Voice services, Data services, 3G, Messaging, Network equipment, Consumer, 4G - LTE

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