Rural communities could find mobile broadband cheaper

It has been claimed in a recent report that some people living in rural communities could find it cheaper and more effective to use mobile broadband services.

Many people that live in rural parts of the UK struggle to get access to affordable broadband services, and this often puts them at a disadvantage when it comes to things such as education, jobs, saving money, and more. However, in one recent report it has been claimed that many of those struggling to get broadband in rural areas could fare better with a mobile broadband service rather than striving to get fixed line broadband.

Ronan Dunne, the chief executive of O2 UK, said that the effectiveness of mobile broadband in rural communities would be enhanced as a result of spectrum that was set to be freed up from the switchover from analogue to digital television. He said that its lower frequency meant that it could provide wider coverage and better penetration within buildings.

Dunne stated: “The cost structure of providing fixed (broadband) is such that some remote communities would find mobile access a less expensive alternative. One mobile cell site can cover a one kilometre area, and for many places that would be all that’s needed.”

He also said that once the spectrum had been released the availability and coverage of 3G mobile broadband would be far extended, and would probably increase from around 80 percent to up to 97 percent. He added: “The nice thing about mobiles is that rural companies can have confidence that they will have access at the same price as a business in London or any other urban area.”

Would you consider using mobile broadband instead of fixed line broadband in a rural area? Leave your comments and let us know

Source – Scotsman