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Lodestar aims for UK first with free community 4G in Nuneaton and Bedworth
A £50,000 crowdfunder will help build five planned sites on Lodestar's own mobile network, offering free local 4G data, calls and texts with a UK-first ambition for Nuneaton and Bedworth.
Nuneaton, 7 November 2026: Lodestar Networks has launched a £50,000 crowdfunding campaign aiming to deliver a UK first: a locally built, community-supported 4G network offering free mobile data, free calls and free texts within local coverage areas in Nuneaton and Bedworth.
The appeal will support five planned sites, helping fund radio equipment, installation, mounting and power equipment, internet connections and the initial running costs of bringing them into service. Lodestar wants the two towns to lead the way in free community mobile connectivity in the UK.
The project is led by Blake Williams, a 22-year-old founder from Nuneaton who has spent months learning, developing and troubleshooting the technology behind the network.
Williams said:
"Building my own mobile network has been a lifelong dream. Now I want to turn that work into something useful for the people who live and work here.
"We want to offer free 4G data, free calls and free texts in our local coverage areas. With community support, we can take the next step towards building the first five sites and put Nuneaton and Bedworth on the map for community connectivity."
Lodestar's own mobile network
The rollout will use Lodestar's own local 4G radio sites and mobile core. It is building its own mobile network, rather than piggybacking on another operator's mobile coverage or reselling a national network's service. Coverage will come from working Lodestar sites and will expand as more sites are established.
From a home computer to a community network
Lodestar began in December 2025 under the name AzurePCS, using a home computer and a small LTE base station. It has since grown to three servers in London supporting its mobile network systems, voice and messaging.
Williams, who is autistic, has built the project independently. Alongside developing the network, he wants to make learning about telecoms more welcoming by sharing practical guides that help others understand the technology and build networks for their own communities.
Lodestar Networks operates as a limited company. Williams currently takes no salary, and any profits are reinvested into maintaining, improving and expanding the network.
What the appeal will support
Each Baicells Nova442i radio is priced at £2,600 in Lodestar's current planning. The £50,000 target will help fund the wider rollout, including the equipment and work needed to turn radio hardware into working sites.
The five sites remain planned. Final locations, rollout timing and coverage will depend on fundraising, suitable site agreements, surveys, permissions, licensing and testing. The proposed service will be available within the coverage of working Lodestar sites, with coverage growing in stages.
Residents, local businesses and community organisations are invited to donate, share the campaign or contact Lodestar about potentially suitable places to host a site.
The campaign is live on Crowdfunder: Lodestar Free 4G for Nuneaton and Bedworth.
ENDS
Media contact
For interviews, background or site-hosting enquiries, contact Lodestar Networks at hello@lodestarnetworks.co.uk or call 0330 520 4093.
Notes to editors
Lodestar Networks Ltd is registered in England and Wales, company number 17431367. The campaign target is £50,000 towards an initial five-site community 4G rollout in Nuneaton and Bedworth. The campaign describes a UK first as an ambition for its community-supported model.
More background is available in Lodestar's story.
Media enquiries, updated 26 October 2026
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