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>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 wi

>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.

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.