The new regulatory authority Ofcom has
recently announced the award of licences to ISPs (Internet Service Providers)
for the provision of high-speed broadband Internet access using UHF radio
frequencies.
This technology will enable both residential
users, but more importantly, businesses located in remote or rural areas of the
UK, to have access to the Internet at speeds of 1Mbps (One million bits per
second). This is typically much faster than ADSL broadband service currently
being used by increasing numbers of residential and business users.
A nominal licence fee is being proposed by
Ofcom, although the service providers will need to recover the cost of hardware,
which will consist of radio transmitter and receiver equipment.
The service is expected to become available
in early April 2004, with ISP services being rolled out over the coming 12
months.
