UK rural areas asked to aid mobile Internet trial

Vodafone is to test innovative technology in an effort to improve mobile internet coverage in rural areas.

Amid government concern over mobile “not spots” outside main population centers, the company will unveil plans to trial devices that can be installed in local facilities such as community centers and pubs. These will provide high-quality data-carrying signals using existing phone lines. They can be used to project a 3G network across areas otherwise without coverage, and could also be used for the next-generation 4G coverage. Their range is likely to be limited to a few hundred metres, so a remote village or town would need several sites to provide comprehensive coverage. Vodafone will seek 12 communities across the UK to take part in the trial, which will start early next year. It has so far used the technology in the Berkshire village of East Garston near its Newbury headquarters. The government has identified improving mobile coverage in rural areas as a priority, committing an additional £150m to boost services. High-speed internet connections are seen as key to boosting local economies. Ed Vaizey, the communications minister, said: “Bringing mobile coverage to communities can make a huge difference to people’s lives. It is good to see Vodafone looking for innovative ways to bring mobile coverage to rural areas. I urge areas without mobile coverage to get involved and see if this trial is suitable for them.”