4 ms·

From what I understand, they are piggy-backing too - and we have broadband speeds here, not broadband-like. “The service will be provided by delivering high sp

From what I understand, they are piggy-backing too - and we have broadband speeds here, not broadband-like. “The service will be provided by delivering high speed broadband to a small cell within the community which then delivers both fixed wireless broadband and 4G mobile services to users via a low power high speed radio link.” Given that there’s already BT fibre in the area, I’d imagine that’s what they’re using for their backhaul. And as to fibre backhaul - I’ve just run 300m of trenched fibre down from the mast to a really awkward spot, and including media adaptors, SWA 4x fibre, and all the rest, it came to less than £1.5k.

otoburb 6y ago
>>And as to fibre backhaul - I’ve just run 300m of trenched fibre down from the mast to a really awkward spot, and including media adaptors, SWA 4x fibre, and all the rest, it came to less than £1.5k. I know it's not your fiefdom, but if the numbers are so far off it might be worth reaching out to Ch4lke Mobile (i.e. the Wiltshire Chalk Valley parish council members) or the local MP John Glen to figure out where they could cut down on superfluous costs. If they're going to roll out this type of model to other rural not-spots any cost savings that could be pragmatically realized would be fewer quid from taxpayer pockets.
razakel 6y ago
>From what I understand, they are piggy-backing too - and we have broadband speeds here, not broadband-like. They're operating as a full mobile network that will also allow users of other operators to roam onto them - it's a lot more than just running a repeater. This is the kit they're using as cells: http://www.accelleran.com/products/e101/ http://www.accelleran.com/products/e101/ >£2.25M! 3 years! >I am struggling to see how “50 or so” masts could come to this cost. That’s £45k a mast. That funding is not just for this project - the funding has gone to a consortium it's part of: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-65-million-package-for-5g-trials https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-65-million-package-fo...
- madaxe_again 6y ago
  Gotcha - that now makes much more sense, and I’ll admit I skimmed for a number. Thanks for that link - since I did what I’ve done here, I’ve had more than a few people express their gratitude and astonishment that they now have WiFi and signal when they go fishing (as the only other people we ever see here are fishermen), and the local mayor asked about a week ago if I would be able to do the same for a village nearby which has no cell reception... I’m going up there this week to take a look at the lay of the land. I’d been considering a series of relay towers, but it may not be the best option depending on a bunch of factors. I dare say if I do go down the route of setting up an actual cell provider then I’ll have a damn sight more appreciation for the complexities these guys faced.
  - razakel 6y ago
    Whilst your WiFi repeater is obviously licence-exempt, I can't imagine Ofcom being too happy if they found out about you repeating UMTS.
    - madaxe_again 6y ago
      I’m in very, very rural Portugal, and there is bugger all to interfere with here - the initial repeater is highly directional, using an yagi to throw it down about a kilometre and 300 vertical meters into the valley. The omni repeater in the valley has a range of about 300m, and doesn’t reach out of the valley. It’s all as low power as I could get away with while having a tenable signal, as having multiple days of autonomy off the batteries is a must in the winter, so every Wh counts. If there ever is cellular service here to interfere with, I’ll gladly scrap the lot, as it would be redundant.

otoburb 6y ago

>>And as to fibre backhaul - I’ve just run 300m of trenched fibre down from the mast to a really awkward spot, and including media adaptors, SWA 4x fibre, and all the rest, it came to less than £1.5k. I know it's not your fiefdom, but if the numbers are so far off it might be worth reaching out to Ch4lke Mobile (i.e. the Wiltshire Chalk Valley parish council members) or the local MP John Glen to figure out where they could cut down on superfluous costs. If they're going to roll out this type of model to other rural not-spots any cost savings that could be pragmatically realized would be fewer quid from taxpayer pockets.

razakel 6y ago

>From what I understand, they are piggy-backing too - and we have broadband speeds here, not broadband-like. They're operating as a full mobile network that will also allow users of other operators to roam onto them - it's a lot more than just running a repeater. This is the kit they're using as cells: http://www.accelleran.com/products/e101/ http://www.accelleran.com/products/e101/ >£2.25M! 3 years! >I am struggling to see how “50 or so” masts could come to this cost. That’s £45k a mast. That funding is not just for this project - the funding has gone to a consortium it's part of: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-65-million-package-for-5g-trials https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-65-million-package-fo...

madaxe_again 6y ago
Gotcha - that now makes much more sense, and I’ll admit I skimmed for a number. Thanks for that link - since I did what I’ve done here, I’ve had more than a few people express their gratitude and astonishment that they now have WiFi and signal when they go fishing (as the only other people we ever see here are fishermen), and the local mayor asked about a week ago if I would be able to do the same for a village nearby which has no cell reception... I’m going up there this week to take a look at the lay of the land. I’d been considering a series of relay towers, but it may not be the best option depending on a bunch of factors. I dare say if I do go down the route of setting up an actual cell provider then I’ll have a damn sight more appreciation for the complexities these guys faced.
- razakel 6y ago
  Whilst your WiFi repeater is obviously licence-exempt, I can't imagine Ofcom being too happy if they found out about you repeating UMTS.
  - madaxe_again 6y ago
    I’m in very, very rural Portugal, and there is bugger all to interfere with here - the initial repeater is highly directional, using an yagi to throw it down about a kilometre and 300 vertical meters into the valley. The omni repeater in the valley has a range of about 300m, and doesn’t reach out of the valley. It’s all as low power as I could get away with while having a tenable signal, as having multiple days of autonomy off the batteries is a must in the winter, so every Wh counts. If there ever is cellular service here to interfere with, I’ll gladly scrap the lot, as it would be redundant.