In short: The Llanthony Valley in the Brecon Beacons was stuck on 2Mbps broadband that dropped in the rain. No provider would invest in such a remote area. We deployed a private 5G network that delivered 100Mbps+ speeds — proving that private 5G works in even the most challenging terrain.
Key Takeaways
- Remote doesn't mean impossible — private 5G delivered 100Mbps+ in a deep mountain valley where no provider would invest
- The impact was immediate — residents went from barely loading webpages to working from home, streaming, and running businesses
- Simple pricing drove adoption — buy a router, pay a monthly subscription, no complex procurement process
2Mbps on a Good Day
The Llanthony Valley sits deep in the Black Mountains of the Brecon Beacons. It's one of the most beautiful places in Wales — and one of the worst connected.
For years, residents and businesses in the valley survived on broadband speeds of around 2Mbps. On a good day. When it rained heavily — which is often in the Welsh mountains — the connection would drop entirely.
Video calls were impossible. Streaming was a fantasy. Running a business from home meant driving to the nearest town with decent WiFi.
Why Nobody Else Would Help
The valley's problem is simple economics. There aren't enough properties to justify the cost of running fibre or building a mobile mast. Every provider we spoke to said the same thing: not commercially viable.
This is the story across rural Britain. If you're not in a town or a suburb, you're not a priority. The government's broadband schemes move slowly and rarely reach the most remote communities first.
The Private 5G Solution
We saw Llanthony Valley as the perfect proof of concept. If private 5G could work here — in a deep valley, surrounded by mountains, with scattered properties — it could work anywhere.
We deployed a private 5G network using shared access spectrum from Ofcom. The base station sits on high ground with line of sight across the valley. Residents receive the signal through indoor or outdoor routers depending on their location.
The result? Speeds of 100Mbps and above. Reliable, consistent connectivity that doesn't drop when it rains.
What Changed
The impact was immediate:
Working from Home Became Possible
Residents who had been commuting to towns for reliable internet could finally work from their homes in the valley.
Businesses Could Operate Properly
The valley's holiday lets could offer guests WiFi that actually works. Local farms could use online systems and video consultations with vets.
Community Connections Improved
Video calls with family, streaming, online learning — things that urban residents take for granted became available for the first time.
What We Learned
Llanthony Valley taught us several things:
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Private 5G works in challenging terrain. Mountains, trees, and scattered buildings aren't barriers with the right network design.
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Communities are ready. When we first approached residents, the enthusiasm was overwhelming. People in rural areas aren't technophobes — they just haven't had the option.
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Simple pricing works. We offered a straightforward deal: buy a router, pay a monthly subscription. No surveys, no quotes, no six-month procurement process. People appreciated the transparency.
What's Next
Llanthony Valley was our starting point, not our finish line. We're now operating private 5G networks at multiple holiday parks across Wales, with city centre deployments planned for 2026.
Every new deployment reinforces what Llanthony taught us: private 5G isn't just for factories and warehouses. It's for people.
If your community is struggling with connectivity, get in touch. We'd love to hear from you. You can also check our coverage areas to see where we operate.