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Communications provider Lodestar Networks, which specialises in building local UK community 4G mobile (calls and broadband) networks, has launched a crowdfunding effort to help raise £50,000 in order to expand their own mobile network across two towns in Warwickshire (England) – Nuneaton and Bedworth.
Lodestar says their aim here is to “deliver a UK first: a locally built, community-supported 4G network offering free mobile data, free calls and free texts within local coverage areas in Nuneaton and Bedworth“. The funding, if secured, would help to build five planned sites on Lodestar’s own mobile network, including the equipment and work needed to turn radio hardware into working sites (e.g. several Baicells Nova442i radios, which are £2,600 a pop).
The operator says that any profits from this network, once deployed, would then be reinvested back into maintaining, improving and expanding the network. The relevant crowdfunding page seems to be aiming to raise the necessary funding by 30th January 2027.