International high-tech consultancy Scientific Generics this week commence an inaugural project for Ofcom, which investigates the possibilities of providing wireless broadband access (WBA) to rural communities currently unable to access alternative broadband technology. The project is being undertaken with a specialist consortium of partners which include; Lucent Technologies, DotEcon and the South East Regional Research Laboratory (SERRL) at Birkbeck, University of London.

Initially working with communities in areas where other broadband technologies are not economic, the project will firstly highlight if there are possibilities of using higher power levels than are currently permitted by the equipment regulations, and secondly identify the most suitable frequency bands and technologies to provide broadband to these rural communities.

Scientific Generics, an ‘Ofcom Thought Partner’ [ed: the mind boggles], will lead the consortium and integrate the technical and economic aspects of the work; geographers at SERRL will provide a proper understanding of the way the geography of rural settlements affects the delivery of modern technologies; Lucent Technologies will provide detailed technical evaluation and modelling capabilities; and DotEcon (also an ‘Ofcom Thought Partner’) will provide economic analysis.