A location is being sought in the UK to test the economic viability of using LTE to provide broadband coverage to underserved rural areas. Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) and Cambridge Wireless have joined together to trial 800MHz LTE for six months in a locality that has poor broadband services and with limited or no 3G coverage.
While the site has yet to be selected, Cambridge Wireless said that the location would ideally be a community that is experiencing a lack of fixed or wireless broadband services, according to an ITPro report. The company said it is also looking for people keen to get involved in the trial and "perhaps coordinate some aspects on behalf of their community."
Cambridge Wireless also noted that the trials will be limited. According to a report in Mobile Europe, Cambridge Wireless, which is a network of wireless firms based in the city, is looking to provide only minimal technical support for the trial. Consequently, the plan is that only Cambridge Wireless members, or their friends and families, will be involved, and not the general public.
Stirling Essex, a board member of Cambridge Wireless, said in a statement: "Supporting trials of new technologies and business models, and harnessing the capabilities of both the partners in the trial and our local companies will continue to demonstrate that Cambridge is the place where emerging innovative business models are conceived, investigated and tested."
The company added that a more detailed plan for the trial will be produced at the end of this month with the aim of conducting the six-month test later in the year. O2 and Motorola have already conducted trials of LTE in the UK, while Arqiva, supported by Alcatel-Lucent, is currently testing LTE in Wales using 800 MHz spectrum.
For more:
- see this ITPro article
- see this Mobile Europe article
- see this Cambridge Wireless release
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