Innovative broadband connection at former NATO base

Wednesday, 16 October 2024

R100 Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme (SBVS) supplier UltraNetworks is supplying homes and businesses in the North East with faster internet through an innovative 5G solution.

Funded by R100 SBVS, they’re currently deploying an innovative 5G Stand Alone broadband solution at Mormond Hill, North-East Aberdeenshire, a former NATO telecoms base which was used during the cold war.

An existing 40-metre mast on Mormond Hill is approximately 230 metres above sea level. It should provide coverage across 600 square kilometres, which includes more than 1,000 SBVS eligible premises.

The project will initially provide 5G broadband to 31 beneficiaries on the outskirts of Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire. 
 

UltraNetworks' new 5G network will be faster, cheaper and more energy efficient to run. Customers could experience speeds of up to 1.2 gigabits per second (Gbps). This means faster download and upload speeds making it easier to do things like work from home or watch streaming services with less lag.  

Rodger Motherwell, R100 SBVS Deployment Manager, visited the Mormond Hill site and said: “Ultranetworks’ deployment is an innovative, effective and cost-efficient solution that will provide faster broadband to dozens or even hundreds of premises in Aberdeenshire.

“It’s great to see how the R100 Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme is enabling cutting-edge projects like this across the country.” 

To date, nine out of 31 initial connections have been delivered. Jerry Briant, Managing Director at UltraNetworks explained: “One of the challenges of 5G is that it’s still very new, a lot of research is required and it’s a steep learning curve to really get to grips with the full architecture of a 5G network.

“It requires multiple systems to be working together to deliver the network and troubleshooting can be complex, but we’re delighted to see this service go live, thanks to SBVS.” 

Find out more about the R100 SBVS by visiting our Voucher section and get in touch with UltraNetworks via their website.