According to The Star (http://www.sheffieldtoday.net/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=58&ArticleID=963040) Sheffield/ South Yorkshire is going to be the first place in the country to pilot broadband/ local TV technology via a balloon that would float 1.5km above South Yorkshire. The broadband connections would be faster and cheaper. Will this ever happen? Does anyone know anything in more detail about this or how it will work? Is it just another case of The Star trying to fill pages?

Basically transmits a wireless DSL signal across a broad area.

It will happen eventually, but only if the aviation people allow it!

Wouldn't it just get trashed when the storms arrive?.

Originally posted by RPG
Basically transmits a wireless DSL signal across a broad area.

It will happen eventually, but only if the aviation people allow it!

When do you reckon it will be up and running?

K x

I was watching this and a few other potential projects that could deliver broadband when I was living out in the sticks near Selby a couple of years ago..

The fact that SkyLinc are pushing forward is a good indicator that they're getting it together and have a long term plan with potential...

Just a damned shame they're not putting it up in North Yorkshire where people are screaming for broadband and have virtually no hills. But they need a big market I guess...

I for one reckon it'll happen...

I for one would be willing to give them a go.... anything has to be better than wannado and thier excellent customer service and tech help (note sarcasim)

Originally posted by Martin_s

Just a damned shame they're not putting it up in North Yorkshire where people are screaming for broadband and have virtually no hills. But they need a big market I guess...


Funnily enough, Skylinc is based in York! (http://www.skylinc.co.uk/cont.php?ifr=ifr/cont.html)

Originally posted by Kristian
When do you reckon it will be up and running?

K x

No idea really, I think the Star maybe jumping the gun with regards to 2006 though. I cant see neither Yorkshire Forward or UK Forward (or whatever they're calling themselves these days) wanting to try anything as untested and potentially hazardous with the new Airport opening soon.

Originally posted by cgksheff
Funnily enough, Skylinc is based in York! (http://www.skylinc.co.uk/cont.php?ifr=ifr/cont.html)
Yeah I know... Of course I've realised that the Star is only going to concentrate on the local area so it's entirely possible that other stations are being planned and applied for in other areas that weren't reported...

As for trying it... In all honesty I'll wait and see what pricing is like... Would be a nice to use for uploads though as that's always the limiter when I'm working on web related projects.

Originally posted by RPG
No idea really, I think the Star maybe jumping the gun with regards to 2006 though. I cant see neither Yorkshire Forward or UK Forward (or whatever they're calling themselves these days) wanting to try anything as untested and potentially hazardous with the new Airport opening soon.
Actually Yorkshire Forward were the ones who told me all about SkyLinc when I first started making enquiries about rural broadband...

As for being hazarddous... It's not that much of a hazzard so long as it's kept out of the airport flight paths..

Originally posted by Martin_s
Just a damned shame they're not putting it up in North Yorkshire where people are screaming for broadband and have virtually no hills. But they need a big market I guess...


Except for those teeny-weeny molehills in the Yorkshire Dales? ;)

Originally posted by chillicat
Except for those teeny-weeny molehills in the Yorkshire Dales? ;)
Heh heh... ok ok... so geography was never my strong suit :suspect: :D

Funnliy enough I suggested this (on a slightly smaller scale) 18 months ago.

Originally posted by Phanerothyme http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?postid=11948#post11948
...
launch the 'Sheffield Network Blimp'. Sheffield needs it's own massive intranet for education, business, local government, civil and emeregency services, and of course local residents. Solution, use a big blimp as a low altitude communications satellite.

Originally posted by Phanerothyme
Funnliy enough I suggested this (on a slightly smaller scale) 18 months ago.

Perhaps someone at Skylinc reads this forum. :suspect:
You should've got a patent. :D

I've still got a problem getting this 1.5km altitude into my head.
It's bound to have a lot of lateral movement.

The winds at that height are bound to be a problem and everything I can read about "aerostats" (mostly used for radar purposes) say that they have to be brought down in stormy weather giving an availabilty of around 60% to 70%.

Originally posted by Martin_s
As for being hazarddous... It's not that much of a hazzard so long as it's kept out of the airport flight paths..

If it really is 1.5 Km high, and is has a very long piece of string to tether it, then it may be a problem. Not all aircraft follow flight paths - only the big ones going in to Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield Finningley International Airport!

I think I'll give it a go just for curiosity and as stated its a project and subject to weather conditions so its bound to have availability problems. Still its better than nothing for the rural community.

It would be interesting to find out how many anchor points this balloon will have as its position and altitude could vary greatly.

This sounds like an early April fools joke to me???

Originally posted by newdawnevent
This sounds like an early April fools joke to me???
It's not... it's something that's been on the newswire for a couple of years.

You can already sign up for broadband access from hot spots like service stations, starbucks coffee shops etc. Soon you will be able to get this access anywhere and move from one hotspot to another without the connection dropping thus meaning you can get broadband access on trains with a stable connection, and anywhere. Kind of like getting a mobile signal anywhere, and this technology will be rolled out in the next 2 to 3 years without the need for silly balloons.......

Originally posted by NJMUK
You can already sign up for broadband access from hot spots like service stations, starbucks coffee shops etc. Soon you will be able to get this access anywhere and move from one hotspot to another without the connection dropping thus meaning you can get broadband access on trains with a stable connection, and anywhere. Kind of like getting a mobile signal anywhere, and this technology will be rolled out in the next 2 to 3 years without the need for silly balloons.......
Erm... I'm going to disagree vehemently with you on this one. It's all hype..

The "hotspot" technology will rely on technology being in place to provide the "pipe" or broadband internet connection to the ISP... Hot spots will not exist without the infranstructure to support it. Otherwise it's like putting an electic socket on a wall and not wiring it up.

There are places in the UK where this sort of proposal will be an absolute boon and provide access that no amount of "hotspot" propogation will reach.

Oh and don't forget "cost effectiveness".. If you look around there are places screaming for this sort of thing and the only way it goes up is if the company putting it together will see a return. If you take a look at wireless community networks that have failed already you'll find time and again it wasn't cost effective, so why is a company going to fund hotspots in the outlying areas? Would you if you were going to make a loss?

Granted Sheffield isn't somewhere that really needs it so much but there are always outlying area where broadband simply won't reach without proper wireless broadband either from a balloon or some other alternative.

So less of the derision, hmm?

Originally posted by Martin_s
Erm... I'm going to disagree vehemently with you on this one. It's all hype..

The "hotspot" technology will rely on technology being in place to provide the "pipe" or broadband internet connection to the ISP... Hot spots will not exist without the infranstructure to support it. Otherwise it's like putting an electic socket on a wall and not wiring it up.

There are places in the UK where this sort of proposal will be an absolute boon and provide access that no amount of "hotspot" propogation will reach.

Oh and don't forget "cost effectiveness".. If you look around there are places screaming for this sort of thing and the only way it goes up is if the company putting it together will see a return. If you take a look at wireless community networks that have failed already you'll find time and again it wasn't cost effective, so why is a company going to fund hotspots in the outlying areas? Would you if you were going to make a loss?

Granted Sheffield isn't somewhere that really needs it so much but there are always outlying area where broadband simply won't reach without proper wireless broadband either from a balloon or some other alternative.

So less of the derision, hmm?

One word. - WiMAX.

Originally posted by NJMUK
One word. - WiMAX.
You completely missed my point didn't you...

Wireless electricity... neat trick... :loopy:

Originally posted by Martin_s
You completely missed my point didn't you...

Wireless electricity... neat trick... :loopy:

Seems to be coming along nicely:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4455727.stm

Originally posted by t020
According to The Star (http://www.sheffieldtoday.net/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=58&ArticleID=963040) Sheffield/ South Yorkshire is going to be the first place in the country to pilot broadband/ local TV technology via a balloon that would float 1.5km above South Yorkshire. The broadband connections would be faster and cheaper. Will this ever happen? Does anyone know anything in more detail about this or how it will work? Is it just another case of The Star trying to fill pages?

HAHAHA ive never heard anything so stupid in all my life, and they think a balloons gonna stay put / stay in the sky 24 hours a day for ever, its not gonna be a 100% broadband connection ill tell you now, i dont really trust those sattellite ones never mind a bloody balloon

What's the range on a good quality .22 air rifle? :o :rolleyes: :heyhey:

3-5 years....
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4354446.stm

Okay, i get the fact that a balloon hovering somewhere over S Yorkshire can transmit a signal to everyones PCs as it will be pretty powerful, but what about communicating back with the balloon.

Will i need a 30ft aerial attached to my PC to upload data, or do we wait for a gust of wind to blow it closer to my home (or through my roof!).

because there are no obstacles between you and the ballon (it is tethered above you) Wi-max spec gear will have plenyty of reach.

I'm not sure about the technicalities, but I would assume that this type of service would require a dedicated base station that uses a proprietary comms channel.

So yes, your standard 802.11 kit probably wouldn't be enough.

But I think the wisdom of having a city wide node is clear. Not just the internet for all, but the possibility of integrated sheffield network services becomes a very powerful argument in its favour.