Mobile Networks Featured Article

U.K.-based Deltenna recently introduced a device, Wireless Broadband Enabler “WiBE,” to deliver broadband to rural areas that are far from the phone exchange.

 

Using the 3G mobile network, WiBE creates a 2Mbps Web hotspot, even when a 3G mobile phone wouldn’t register a signal. Company officials said that an internal WiFi (News - Alert) router enables users to connect laptops, smartphones, or VoIP phones.

 

Company officials said that in areas where the signal is weak, it delivers a data throughput 30-times greater than a 3G USB modem dongle. Moreover, the connection range is up to five-times that of the 3G dongle, which has been achieved via Deltenna’s patented antennas and alignment algorithms, which beam steer the device’s receivers.

 

Additionally, the device’s maximum throughput is 7.2Mbps and extensive rural usage tests in the UK demonstrated an average download speed of 2.8 Mbps, said company officials.

 

Company officials also announced plans to sell WiBE to original equipment manufacturers and operators.

 

“There are still millions of people throughout Europe and the U.S. for whom fast broadband is a myth. The WiBE seeks out distant, base stations and, like you would with a set top TV aerial, adjusts and fine tunes its antennas to get the perfect signal,” said Andrew Fox, CEO at Deltenna.

 

Deltenna is also expected to release a 4G mobile network device in 2011. Company officials said that this will use LTE (News - Alert) technology to reach typical rural broadband speeds of 50Mbps and above.