Ofcom has put into place new regulations to extend wireless access across the UK and in particular to rural areas.

The regulations cover the 5.8 GHz radio spectrum, which is used by a number of operators and means that licensees will be able to double their power output. This could potentially extend the range of wireless broadband to parts of the country that were previously not covered and to a greater proportion of rural areas.

The move to extend wireless coverage has come about after Ofcom estimated that 45% of households in urban areas have broadband, compared to 41% in rural areas.