Boundless Networks welcomes Digital Strategy

The Strategy, announced on Wednesday, March 1st, 2017, outlines the Government’s plan to become a leading digital nation, building on the UK’s existing digital strengths and maximising the potential of emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things, to drive up productivity, remain internationally competitive and realise opportunity across the country.

The Government recognises that “first and foremost, being a digital leader depends on being connected” and that “the future of high-speed and high-quality connectivity lies in deeper, more extensive fibre networks”. The Digital Strategy confirms the £1bn programme of funding “to explore and encourage next generation digital infrastructure, including full fibre and 5G” that was announced in the 2016 Autumn Statement. It also includes the commitment to work with industry and regulators so “broadband adverts accurately reflect reality”, this also ensures that adverts apply “terms like ‘fibre’ only when full fibre solutions are used”. The strategy also announced a new Business Connectivity Forum to bring stakeholders together “to help businesses access fast, affordable and reliable broadband”. However, the Strategy fails to acknowledge that providers like Boundless are bringing the most advanced fixed wireless broadband to the UK now that is capable of delivering the 1Gbps speeds that are the principles of a full fibre solution.

Entrepreneur and Boundless Networks Chairman David Hood, who lives in Craven, said: “We welcome the Government’s Digital Strategy and the ambition to make the UK one of the best connected countries in the world. We would, however, recommend that the use of alternative technology is examined to see how solutions such as Boundless Networks’ ultrafast wireless technology is included in how the UK achieves the best and fastest connectivity possible. Our ultrafast services are capable of delivering speeds of 200Mbps today but will be delivering 1Gbps services by 2020. These speeds compare with the offerings of full fibre solutions as they rely on the same fibre backhaul that is used to deliver full fibre services. The wire-free technology makes the service cheaper and quicker to deploy than digging up roads and villages – the use of this technology can deliver the Government’s targets quicker and is better value to the public purse. This must be considered in the plan for a fully connected Digital Britain.”

Research carried out by Boundless Networks can demonstrate that the costs of installing new fibre cable is estimated at approximately £68 per metre. So, a 3km cable would typically cost £200,000. The latest fixed wireless link over the same distance would cost around £6,000 for 5Gbps services and just £13,000 for a 10Gbps connection. Even if the cost of digging, obtaining wayleaves and deploying full fibre services were suddenly dropped by 90%, it would still be more expensive. This clearly demonstrates that new generation Fixed Wireless services, like the ultrafast network being deployed by Boundless, are fundamentally better value and should be part of the Governments Digital Strategy for future connectivity

The ultrafast service is being trialled now and will be rolled out by Boundless across North Yorkshire over the next two years. This will also remove the need for homes and businesses to wait for the Government’s Universal Service Obligation of 10Mbps by delivering speeds that will futureproof rural communities for a generation.

Boundless Networks; one of the UK’s leading Fixed Wireless Internet Service Providers, has been helping individuals, communities, businesses and local authorities receive superfast broadband technology in poorly serviced rural areas since 2006.

The company has one of the largest wireless coverage footprints of any such provider in the country, with coverage of over 3,500 square miles with approximately 4,000 wireless links in service and operates a private national fibre network from its data centre in Manchester.

High-speed internet access provided from an array of fibre-connected masts across the region is delivered to the end user by microwave or fibre optic cable.

Business packages start from just £45 per month and residential packages from £20.99.