You might remember that Broadbandwatcher has been reporting on trailing femtocell technology to deliver faster and more reliable mobile broadband and phone services.
It has now been announced that Vodafone UK has chosen Hamnavoe and Walls (two remote communities in the Shetland Islands) to be the first locations to have the Open Femto trial.
All in all, Vodafone plans to run the scheme across 12 rural communities. The strategy is to place Femtocell equipment on top of telegraph poles and connect these to fixed line broadband services. This will allow the area to have better coverage and boost both mobile phone and broadband connections.
However, all willing to take advantage of the scheme have to be Vodafone customers.
According to the Shetland Times, Local MP, Alistair Carmichael, was quoted as describing poor mobile services as a “problem” in the region:
“Any solutions that could boost coverage need to be explored fully.
“News that Walls and Hamnavoe are on the formal shortlist for the next stage of Vodafone’s pilot project is a positive step in this regard.”
The trial kick off day is still quite vague, with Vodafone saying it is scheduled in “early 2012”. According to Broadbandwatcher’s calendar it is now early 2012. Any minute now.
