Britain trials 4G mobile broadband

broadband has started in Cornwall, and will offer a large step in mobile broadband capabilities, International Business Times reports.

Two hundred people from St Newlyn East and South Newquay will be testing the new technology that is being conducted by BT and Everything Everywhere, the combined force of Orange and T-Mobile.

Metro states that there are a number of 'not spots' - Internet black spots - across the country that are not reached by traditional fibre-optic cables, and it is hoped the 4G network, which uses satellite dishes and the mobile phone network, can fill these gaps.

The 4G trial will allow users to enjoy download speeds of around 10Mbps while on the move.

Half of the Cornwall residents have had their homes fitted with 4G wireless routers, while the other half have been given 4G dongles for their laptops.

According to uSwitch, CEO of BT Wholesale, Nigel Stagg, said BT is committed to working with the government and using technology innovation to find ways of addressing the remaining challenges within the UK where there are still broadband 'not spots'.

“The final 10% of the country is exceedingly difficult to reach with the available standard fixed-line solutions.

“Our proof-of-concept trial in Cornwall will test the capabilities and services that a shared fixed and mobile data network can support,” he concludes.