‘First’ gigabit broadband service piloted in Edinburgh 

Britain’s ‘first’ wireless gigabit broadband service is to be piloted in Edinburgh, bringing “lightning fast” internet speeds to the city without the need to dig up streets.

WeLink Communications UK is inviting local households and businesses to sign up as case studies for the scheme.

Chief executive Natalie Duffield said: “We are really excited to be piloting our lightning-fast technology in the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh where many premises struggle to access decent and affordable broadband. Given the growing importance of connectivity in this day and age, communities cannot afford to be left behind. Our wireless technology puts people into the broadband fast lane.”

According to Ofcom, more than 1,300 premises in Edinburgh are unable to receive broadband of more than 10 megabits per second (mbps).

WeLink Communication UK’s offering of one gigabit is more than 100 times faster than the average UK residential broadband download speed of 80mbps.

According to the London-based telecoms company, users will be able to stream HD content without pausing or buffering, download and upload large files in seconds and use multiple connected devices at the same time.

Participants in the pilot scheme will be required to provide testimonials during the project. The technology is being tried and tested ahead of a planned deployment in support of the Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme – part of the Scottish Government’s Reaching 100% (R100) commitment to providing superfast broadband access for every home and business in Scotland.

Duffield, who has 25 years’ experience in the IT and telecoms industries, was featured in the Women in STEM Street Art Trail, part of this summer’s Edinburgh Science Festival and a celebration of those who have passionately contributed to science, technology, engineering and maths.

She was also responsible for ‘EdiFreeWiFi’, one of the biggest deployments of free wifi in the UK. The network has attracted more than 1.15 million registered users.