3UK is giving 11 rural villages in the UK free access to its 3G LTE network as part of a plan to get a competitive edge in the 4G broadband race. The mobile operator has launched the initiative which will provide broadband access to rural communities across the country for the first time.

It is backed by the government, which is committed to ensuring that all rural areas of the country have access to broadband. Some say that 3UK is also pursuing the initiative in a bid to curry government favor and gain access to greater spectrum. Gringley-on-the-Hill will be the first village to get hooked up to the the 3UK network. This North Nottinghamshire village will be distributing over 30 hotspots and dongles with 1 year of free internet access.