High-speed, wireless broadband coming to Devon

A new wireless broadband network is being installed in north Devon to help rural businesses benefit from high speed computer connections.

The South West of England Development Agency (RDA) is providing an investment of £90,000 for the project, which will cost £120,000 in total.

The balance of the funding will be provided by North Devon District Council and West Somerset District Council.

The project involves the installation of six broadband aerials across Exmoor. Each aerial will serve around a 15 mile radius.

As well as enhancing business opportunities for existing companies in the area, the project is also expected to attract new companies to Devon.

Studies carried out in 2006 found that the lack of quality broadband access in Devon was a major barrier to business growth in the county’s rural communities.

Existing broadband services in the region are either unreliable, or do not exist at all due to the rural location of towns and villages, which are often a long way from the exchange.

The new service will be available via receiver dishes which people can install on their domestic and commercial properties.