Press play to watch the videoBroadway Tower, the 18th‑century folly sitting on the Worcestershire/ Gloucestershire border, is demonstrating how targeted investment in wireless connectivity can transform the way rural visitor attractions operate.
The site has taken part in a small‑scale project supported through the River Severn Partnership Advanced Wireless Innovation Region (RSPAWIR) wireless innovation grant. The programme supports practical projects that test and showcase the benefits of improved connectivity in real rural settings.
Matt Smith, programme manager for RSPAWIR, said the project at Broadway Tower is a strong example of what the grant scheme wanted to achieve.
“This is exactly the kind of project our wireless innovation grant was established to support,” he said. “They are small‑scale, practical interventions that clearly demonstrate how improved connectivity can unlock real operational benefits and better experiences, particularly in rural locations where coverage has historically been poor.”
Before the new solution was put in place, connectivity at Broadway Tower was extremely limited.
Annette Will, managing director of Broadway Tower, explained that internet speeds of between 1 and 1.8 megabits per second were simply not sufficient for a modern visitor attraction.
“At those speeds we couldn’t reliably use our EPOS systems, we struggled to validate digital tickets, and we weren’t able to make use of apps that could enhance the visitor experience,” she said. “Mobile voice coverage was also patchy and often dropped out altogether on busy days.”
The solution was developed by Virtuser who designed a system using multiple satellite and 5G routers, tailored specifically to provide coverage across the site.
The new connectivity has enabled reliable EPOS use, enhanced public Wi‑Fi for visitors and improved digital systems across the attraction. It will also support more efficient day‑to‑day operations, including better management of overflow car parking during peak periods.
Annette said the difference has been significant.
“We now have far greater options than we did before,” she said. “We’ve been able to enhance the visitor experience and improve how the site is managed. The results have been genuinely game‑changing for us.”
The Broadway Tower project highlights how advanced wireless solutions can deliver immediate and tangible benefits for businesses.
RSPAWIR is funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and is managed by Shropshire Council on behalf of the River Severn Partnership. The programme supports innovation across water management, agri‑tech and public services, helping demonstrate how improved connectivity can support economic resilience and growth in rural areas.