A rural broadband specialist, founded in 2009, that builds full fibre and fixed wireless networks across the Midlands, the South West and Wales.
Airband is a UK broadband provider that focuses on rural and underserved areas. It designs, builds and operates its own network, bringing full fibre directly to homes and businesses and using fixed wireless technology, which beams broadband from masts, where fibre is not yet practical. Its website names Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Devon and Somerset as strong presences, and also lists Cheshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Wales and Warwickshire. A 2017 report described its first rural wireless mast in Shropshire, so the company has been working on rural coverage for years.
Airband was founded in 2009 by Red and Miranda Peel, who wanted to improve rural broadband, and began by delivering wireless broadband to rural communities. Its fixed wireless network expanded across several regions between 2015 and 2018, and from 2019 it began a large-scale rollout of full fibre. The company says it believes "where you live shouldn't determine the quality of your connectivity", and its aim is to close the digital divide in overlooked areas. In some regions it works with Building Digital UK, the government body that supports rural networks.
Airband's website gives its legal name as Voneus Limited, with a company address at One London Wall in London and a Worcester telephone number. Voneus was a separate rural broadband company, so this appears to show that the two businesses have been brought together, though we have not seen that confirmed in a company announcement. Airband said its team spans from North Wales to Devon, and the pages we read do not list its office addresses. Its managing director is Kashif Rahman, according to a company announcement.
On culture, Airband lists four values: Friendly, Community, Responsive and Specialist. It describes a family-style, fast-paced and innovative workplace, summer and winter parties, regular staff surveys and trained Mental Health First Aiders. A pulse survey had 69% participation among eligible staff, the company says. It sponsors local clubs including Westfields FC, Shrewsbury Town's family stand and Upton-upon-Severn RFC, and supports Macmillan, MIND and food banks in Devon and Worcester. These are the company's own descriptions.
In July 2022 Airband launched the Airband Academy, an in-house training programme that uses practical and classroom sessions, with modules in leadership, design, build and engineering. It shows the range of roles the company needs, from the engineers who install masts and fibre to the designers who plan the network and the leaders who manage teams. Customer service, sales and finance staff also keep it running. Engineering, physics, geography and business all connect to this work, and practical technician routes suit people who like working outdoors.
Website: www.airband.co.uk
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