Mark Melluish of Rutland Telecom said:

"In the beginning we understandably concentrated on the technical aspect of our service but the way these projects are financed is equally important if the next phase of rural community broadband projects is to be successful. It is also clear that in the future there will be little, if any, chance of rural areas receiving public funding to assist in developing and fulfilling their broadband ambitions.

Rutland Telecom is encouraging and assisting rural communities to explore ways of raising the necessary capital such as looking at partnerships or joint ventures, which will ensure local investors get a financially attractive and acceptable rate of return.

Its financial model takes into account potential population sign up and service charges and can demonstrate not only the investment required but a rate of return to be enjoyed by those willing to take part.

Over the past few months we have been in discussion with several groups outside of Rutland who have all expressed interest in what we have achieved here. Quite a number of those discussions are still continuing but today we are very pleased to announce that our first project, outside of Rutland, will be in the village of Erbistock, near Wrexham.

This will be a joint venture between Rutland Telecom and a local group of investors. They will use the higher speeds delivered by the Next Generation Broadband service to assist with their rural commercial office development. It will also allow them to benefit the local community by providing a service in that area."