Three Mobile Brings Mobile Broadband to Eden

Kaber is a place in the Eden District of Cumbria where people struggle with their dial up internet connection, which could only give a speed of less than half a megabit per second. But things are going to change for good, thanks to a collaboration between Penrith and the Border MP Rory Stewart and mobile phone network company Three Mobile.

The plan is to bring high-speed mobile broadband to the village for the first time. The new coverage would bring speeds of up to 7.2 megabits. Three Mobile has also provided a year’s worth of free WiFi connection at the village hall so people can use the building for all their online needs.

Residents in Kaber have been given 3G dongles and MiFi devices, which can transmit mobile broadband signals to multiple wireless enabled gadgets simultaneously.

Rory Stewart has expressed confidence that this project in Kaber will deliver massive benefits to the area. Kaber resident and East Cumbria broadband forum member Mike Bridway welcomed the decision, saying that you cannot put a price on how important rural broadband is for the area. More and more functions are happening online and if you do not have it you are in danger of being left behind.

Kaber is only the second location in the UK to be targeted by Three, which had come up with a campaign to illustrate how 3G technology can help bring high-speed connectivity to rural communities, along with the Countryside Alliance and Race Online 2012.

Also, work has started on a one-mile dig to lay a broadband internet cable from the UK main network to the village of Warcop in Eden.