Spectrum plans could benefit rural areas when it comes to broadband

It has been claimed that plans to offer spectrum from migrating radio stations that are moving to digital to broadband providers is giving hope to broadband campaigners.

According to recent reports many campaigners for broadband improvements in rural areas have been given hope as a result of the UK government considering offering spectrum that is being gained through the movement of FM radio stations to digital platform to broadband providers in order to enable them to provide more efficient, faster broadband.

A couple of trials that are of a similar nature but using terrestrial TV spectrum are currently running in and around Cambridge as well as in Bute, Scotland. However, whilst the news may have given hope to those that are looking for faster broadband services there is one major problem in that the government has not set any deadline by which the switch to digital must be made by radio stations.

Reports have highlighted the fact that providers and consumers could benefit from the allocation of this radio spectrum, as it could result in signals being received in areas where there is usually very poor reception for broadband, which leaves businesses and residents suffering.

Ed Richards, from the UK’s communications regulator Ofcom, said: “Spectrum is a resource that is in huge demand, fuelled by the recent explosion in smartphones and other wireless technologies. We need to start thinking more creatively about how it is used.”

Source – Lake Star Media