Wireless transmission at a rate of 8 Mbps over a distance of 5.6km is not that outstanding, but the key to it is that it can use unused TV spectrum, and adapt to what spectrum is actually available in a specific area. The company TTP run the demonstration at the Melbourn Science Park, to the nearby village of Orwell.
The technology currently requires an external aerial, which is not unlike other fixed wireless services that are operating with a view to providing broadband and thus services like IPTV and VoIP in the areas of the UK where broadband is slow or not available. NextGenUs is one example of a Community Interest Company providing services to these underserved areas, they use 5.8GHz kit, with fibre backhaul from the masts to give connections of 50 Mbps to 70 Mbps to properties.
NextGenUs operates without recourse to BDUK funding, and as such this means if enough interest from a community is available they can work on creating a service in an area. Precise costs and speeds will vary from area to area, but a setup fee of £150 and a monthly fee around in the £20 to £30 range appear to be the norm.
NextGenUs also operates as a 100% not-for-profit that reinvests surplus back into delivering FTTH for the whole community first then continues to return surplus for other projects that benefit the local community.