Wimax 4G broadband solution to be trialled in Wales

New solution combines fibre optic and 4G spectrum

Fibre specialist i3 to trial Wimax 4G in Anglesey

Fibre optic infrastructure specialist i3 Group is to trial a new Wimax 4G broadband solution on the Isle of Anglesey, North Wales.

The solution, called Fibrezone, uses a combination of the Wimax 4G spectrum and fibre optic infrastructure to deliver broadband of up to 10Mbit/s to homes that do not currently have access to broadband.

Fibre will be run via the sewers to a mast, and then transmitted to homes by 4G from there.

The company bought a secure 4G radio spectrum licence in July when it became available.

The project has indirectly benefitted from an injection of cash from the Welsh Assembly Government, as i3 Group's CEO Elfed Thomas explained: "Consumers in not spots can receive up to £700 to put towards broadband connection, we indirectly benefit from that."

The trial will see 300 homes connected in the wards of Aberffraw, Llanfair-yn-Neubwll and Bryngwran, and services will be delivered by Carrier Wales. The trial will last two months, and will be followed by a rollout to the Angelsey population of 33,000 – this will take about six months.

Initial Broadband speeds of up to 10Mbit/s will be bundled with telephone and other services in the future. Residents and businesses will be informed once the solution becomes available to them.