Smart antennas deliver 2Mbps broadband in rural areas

The small, sleek gadget, called the WiBE (Wireless Broadband Enabler), uses the 3G mobile network to create a 2Mbps web hotspot, even when a 3G mobile phone wouldn't register a signal.

An internal WiFi router enables users to connect laptops, smartphones or VoIP phones.

In areas of weak signal it delivers a data throughput 30-times greater than a 3G USB modem dongle. And the connection range is up to five-times that of the 3G dongle.

This improvement is achieved through Deltenna's patented antennas and alignment algorithms, which beam steer the device's receivers.

The device automatically tests each mobile cell in range to determine the fastest available download speed and configures its aerials to achieve the best possible connection and block any interference.

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.

The WiBE will be sold to OEMs and operators. It was created to bring broadband to emerging economies and rural areas, where there is access to a mobile network but not high speed DSL lines.

Deltenna will also release a 4G mobile network device in 2011. This will use LTE technology to reach typical rural broadband speeds of 50Mbps and above.

Recent research by the global broadband benchmarking organisation, Epitiro, highlighted mobile broadband users accessing the network on a cell phone or 3G dongle typically receive a download speed lower that 1Mbps.

Iain Wood of Epitiro said: Rural broadband consumers in Europe and the US suffer low speeds over copper wiring as a result of being a distance from the exchange. This challenge of achieving higher speeds lies with the implementation of new technologies to 'the last mile' be they wired or wireless.

Andrew Fox, CEO of Deltenna said: There are still millions of people throughout Europe and the US 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.