THE company behind plans to rollout wireless broadband across parts of Swindon are writing to thousands of residents to inform them of the scheme.

In 2014, UKB Networks signed a deal with Swindon Borough Council to provide coverage to rural areas and the north of the town currently without the service.

However, there has been a strong backlash from many residents who want to see a fibre optic solution provided instead.

This view is supported by a number of local councillors and Swindon North MP Justin Tomlinson but the company says it wants to give people more information about what it will be providing.

The wireless network will see 19 masts located around the town which send a signal to receivers in boxes attached to properties.

Many against the scheme do not believe this will work effectively in urban areas as buildings will block the signal and therefore the £2 million in public money being spent on the scheme is a waste.

They also argue the download speeds provided by fibre will dwarf that of wireless.

UKB Networks disputes this and has said it will upgrade the area to fibre if there is sufficient demand. The letter aims to answer many of these questions.

Chief Marketing Officer Will Harnden said: “We are coming to the final stages of consultation, which will determine whether we can start to commence installing the wireless network required to bring superfast broadband to Swindon.

“To ensure that all residents are aware of what they will be able to purchase towards the end of this year, this informative letter provides details of the rollout.

“We are confident that the wireless broadband network will be a great success and well received by thousands of residents, just as it has done in other locations across Europe."

The applications to build five of the masts will go before the planning committee on Tuesday, with two of them being recommended for refusal.

There has been widespread opposition to the masts with many people saying they will be too obtrusive.

The company has said if they are refused they will work with planners to find a new location but campaigners want as many people as possible to attend the meeting to show opposition.

A statement for the ‘No to 4g’ group said: “Now, this reason actually can and does apply to all five sites – three of which are recommended for approval. If the planning committee refuses permission for two of the masts for this reason they, by all rights of logic, should be refusing it for all five.

“The more resident resistance we can show, the greater our chances of preventing UKB Networks from installing these 4G masts in entirely inappropriate locations within our community.”

The planning meeting will take place at 5.30pm on Tuesday at the Civic Offices.