The Rural Community Broadband Fund has now been announced, with an initial pot of £20M and the first round began on 1st December. Full details are available on http://rdpenetwork.defra.gov.uk/funding-sources/rural-community-broadband-fund

Any communities considering applying should join the RBP forums to learn from other communities and share information on the requirements etc.

What is White space and how could it help?
I was recently lucky enough to be invited to the unveiling of a new technology trial in Cambridge – the use of White Space spectrum. The idea is fabulous – using the redundant FM frequencies available as a result of the Digital Switch Over (that travel for miles and through almost anything) to carry broadband into rural areas. The spectrum is well suited – but TV is not the only thing using it – and so an intelligent database is being proposed that will identify what equipment in what areas are using what frequencies when and the broadband service will literally switch to other available channels ’on the fly’ accordingly. Although the trials are promising, there is a long way to go before we can realistically expect to see devices on the market capable of using these frequencies (years) and at this point in time – we are still looking at very low data rates beyond 5+km from the transmitting station… However ALL CREDIT to Ofcom and partners for exploring this option…

Is 4G the answer? BT announce trials in Newquay, Cornwall – can 4G really offer a solution to Britain’s Rural Broadband dilemma?