UK Farmers Want Faster Internet, Build Their Own | Singularity Hub
▻http://singularityhub.com/2013/03/16/why-wait-for-google-fiber-uk-farmers-want-faster-internet-build-thei
They opted to build an ultrafast fiberoptic network themselves.
Located in rural Lanchashire in the northern part of England, the local landowners began working together to spur interest in bringing fast Internet to their rural community. As reported by the BBC, they hammered out a business plan as a “not for profit” community benefit society and began selling shares into Broadband for the Rural North (B4RN). To get the network built, locals invested their time and physical labor to dig trenches and lay fiber cables while raising half a million pounds. After installing the network on the property, which is estimated to be around $1,500 (much less than what ISPs would charge), the cost of the service to residents is only $45 a month and delivers Internet speeds that are about 75 times faster than the average in the UK.
