EnGenius 5GHz Wi-Fi kit a pointer to future rural broadband?

The news

Hull-based comms specialist Solwise is offering some intriguing 5GHz wireless network kit from EnGenius. The NOC-8610 range allows shared network-access at greater distances (up to 10km) and with greater reliability and security than is possible with 2.4GHz equivalents - and for considerably lower outlay than has been usual with 5GHz hardware.

Sadly, and contrary to our initial hopes, Solwise tells us that it's expecting to sell the EnGenius kit largely for business use, rather than into rural communities wanting to share a broadband connection among a number of homes. That's because the cost per receiver is likely to be around £300, rather £100 or so as it is with current 2.4GHz kit.

Solwise already sells a goodly amount of 2.4GHz kit for that purpose but what it doesn't offer is the range of 5GHz (up to 10km), nor its resistance to signal drop-off due to fog, mist, rain, intervening buildings and trees and other vegetation.

Further, the 2.4GHz band is already very crowded and interference-prone, whereas there's far less use of the 5GHz spectrum which, anyway, requires a transmission license and so is likely to be more carefully policed.

Even with these lower prices, 5GHz still looks to be out of reach for all but the richest rural communities. However, technology does have the endearing habit of rapidly falling in price. As a result, 5GHz holds out the promise of jam in some unknown tomorrow and is something we'll be keeping a close eye on.