WORCESTER-based wireless broadband specialist, Airband has launched a transmitter as it continues to work towards delivering broadband in rural areas.

Airband specialises in delivering better broadband connections for rural areas and bridging the gap between the digital ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’.

The firm, based at County House in St Mary's Street, launched its first transmitter site in Shropshire earlier this week.

The transmitter provides superfast broadband connectivity of 30Mbps to parts of Sheriffhales and Shifnal parishes.

Airband’s deployment of fixed wireless broadband works by sending a radio signal from a transmitter site to a small receiver attached to the property. A cable is then run into the building allowing the end-user to access the internet in the same way as any other broadband connection.

The project, part of the UK Government’s superfast broadband rollout and supported by the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), is boosting coverage and will provide superfast broadband to more than 14,000 homes and businesses across some of the most rural parts of Shropshire.

Dave Lloyd, project manager at Airband, said: "We are really excited to be announcing the first live site for this important community-based project - it highlights the progress we’re making to help connect rural residents.

"We’re planning to get several more sites live in the next few weeks and plan to keep up the pace for the duration of the project.”

The project to deliver more superfast connectivity to Shropshire is supported by the Marches LEP, which secured more than £8m of growth deal funding specifically to improve access to high speed broadband.

Graham Wynn, chairman of the Marches LEP, said: “It's great to see this rollout under way in Shropshire, giving people and businesses a chance to experience the benefits of a superfast broadband connection.”