News from our partners: Signal boosting kit loan offer to aid digital connection in rural areas

River Severn Partnership Advanced Wireless Innovation Region logo

An equipment loan scheme to help people suffering from poor mobile connection has been launched by the River Severn Partnership Advanced Wireless Innovation Region (RSPAWIR).

Co-ordinated by Warwickshire County Council, people living in rural ‘not-spots’ across the River Severn Partnership catchment area are being offered the opportunity to borrow antennas and routers for up to two months to trial their effectiveness at enhancing weak mobile phone signals.

There are 50 units available in the first instance, and the scheme is being offered as a ‘try before you buy’ opportunity.

Councillor Martin Watson, Warwickshire County Council portfolio holder for economy, said:-

“We know there are rural areas across the region where connectivity is at best weak and at worst non-existent and that is frustrating on a personal level and detrimental to business.

“Both fixed and mobile connectivity are essential in today’s world, in business and in our daily lives and the RSPAWIR booster loan scheme allows people to borrow the equipment to upgrade their mobile connectivity and to prove its effectiveness. If the testing is a success, they can consider purchasing the equipment, or the equipment can be returned to be loaned out elsewhere.”

The booster kit consists of an antenna, which can be attached to an upstairs window and a modem with a quad-band sim card. It can be easily installed and does not require any permanent fixing.

The manufacturer, Solwise, offers online technical advice and guidance to optimise the equipment’s performance.

To find out more about the loan scheme or to request an equipment loan please call George Boston or Susie Harrison at Warwickshire County Council on 01926 410410 or email rspsignalbooster@warwickshire.gov.uk

About the River Severn Partnership Advanced Wireless Innovation Region: The River Severn Partnership Advanced Wireless Innovation Region is a £3.75m initiative, wholly funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and managed by Shropshire Council on behalf of the River Severn Partnership.

It is focused on accelerating the adoption of advanced wireless enabled technologies across three sectors which have particularly strong roots in the River Severn catchment area:

– Water Management

– Agri-Tech

– Public Sector

About the River Severn Partnership: The River Severn Partnership involves Shropshire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Monmouthshire, Powys, Telford & Wrekin, Warwickshire and Worcestershire unitary and county councils.

The RSP area covers 6,000 square miles in England and Wales has 2.6 million people.

With the River Severn at its heart, the Partnership has a shared plan supporting people, businesses, and the environment to be resilient to the impacts of climate change and, in so doing, stimulate sustainable economic growth.