UKB, Capita to bring LTE to Swindon

U.K. Broadband (UKB), Hong Kong-based PCCW’s British broadband unit, has begun working in partnership with Capita, Swindon Borough Council’s IT service provider, to roll out a hybrid microwave/LTE network, TeleGeography CommsUpdate reported.

The operator says the infrastructure will offer coverage across the borough, and its deployment will allow for a host of new services while offering significant savings on Swindon Borough Council’s current communications budget.

In terms of the infrastructure i, UKB noted the core transmission network will be going out to 63 service sites via point-to-point and point-to-multipoint microwave links, with LTE services being layered over the network to deliver what it claims will be “the first town/city-wide 4G coverage in the UK.”

The hybrid network is expected to provide a complete wireless city solution for the public sector and businesses, while local residents are expected to be able to gain access to the 4G offering via retail partnerships.

In the launch phase, services will be limited to fixed connectivity solutions, but UKB has said that Mobile Wi-Fi (Mi-Fi) devices will be offered beginning in September, at which date mobile data services will be made available.