IX Wireless who people may also know under their retail branding 6G Internet has code powers from Ofcom like hundreds of other telecoms network builders so can install poles without full planning permission so long as the council is informed.
So why is the Daily Mail covering protests from locals? Put simply, we know even standard telephone poles will be protested and IX Wireless is deploying 15 metre tall unpainted metal masts which look 2 to 3 times the diameter of a normal pole, and this is in addition to any poles delivering the fibre to the pole and the cabinet on the footpath housing the electronics. The sale of the concept is made on the premise that IX Wireless does not dig up or close roads during the build process – it would be interesting to see how the tall masts are delivered and installed with no digging, one presumes they don’t count pavements as part of the road.
While there is nothing inherently wrong with a fixed wireless network, IX Wireless is trying to make it look like they are building FTTP saying things like ‘we’re building the UK’s future digital infrastructure, replacing old-fashioned copper wire networks with optic cables and air fibre technology‘ and ‘With its fibre ring technology, the IX Wireless Network is a fast and cost-effective way of deploying Full Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) broadband to at least 25% of the towns we operate in. We expect about 20% of consumers and businesses within these towns to purchase FTTP broadband‘.
There is also the retailer arm of IX Wireless 6G Internet saying things like ‘These transmitters send full fibre internet signals through the air to a small receiver fitted to your home‘ and is also likely to run into trouble once the real 6G standard bodies send their lawyers around.
The firm is claiming its roll-out method means they can build Gigabit capable networks at a fraction of the cost of other broadband providers, but that is impossible to know as the fastest package we can see is 100 Mbps download speeds (20 Mbps upload) with a standard price of £26.99/m. So while a little cheaper it is not massively cheaper to the consumer.
IX Wireless is no stranger to negative press coverage as Sky News was told earlier in 2023 that the press office does not hand its details to the media. This was around questions over donations to local MP’s and Sky being unable to find the IX Wireless offices to door step the firm.
For the record, we do not count IX Wireless and its roll-out as fibre to the premises, since it is not and therefore it does not feature in our statistics for places like Bolton where FTTP is available to 40% of premsies (the bulk being CityFibre with 12.5 points from Openreach and once the existing Virgin Media DOCSIS 3.1 network is included the Gigabit coverage rises to 89%. So claims that IX Wireless is working to bring high speed internet to places that don’t have it looks like marketing spin.
Now off to look at another FTTP provider who is saying they are live but individual checks suggest its still in build, i.e. a normal day.
Test your broadband speed
Follow us on X for the latest broadband news 
These clowns need shutting down. Ugly masts is not the issue.
The issue is their fast and lose approach to basically everything.
– Planning and consultation
– Advertising
– Donations to members of parliament
– Communication with residents
– Basic technical facts (or lack there of)
T not actually be ‘full fibre’ and instead be some moronic bullhonky radio thing hijacking the term ‘6G’.
Get them to the bottom of the sea. Jokers.
See I kind of agree with this. I live in an area where I bearly get 40mbit from FTTC. Which is a struggle with me working from home, multiple people trying to stream and kids download game etc.
Ix is available but at only 100mbit.. full fttp is coming within the year and I feel they may fool some people onto getting a slower product thinking its fttp but actually its nothing near. I also wonder what the latency would be like plus wouldn’t want their kit installing on my roof.
There’s already fibre from reputable companies giving fast broadband & capable to becoming even faster, virgin came and dug up our pavement and had fibre in within a week, no messing about, limited inconvenience, I’m with BT, never had a problem. Rather these than have to look at 6GIX terrible wooden and metal poles already leaning precariously in the wind, this is before the wires are installed, then the rocket masts come, then roof antennae, backwards and scruffy. Never could ever believe this could ever happen in this century. When will the madness end and they are told to take it all down?