Hundreds of community broadband networks are being developed across the country according to this new report, with many emerging to help support local economic goals, reduce the 'digital divide' and push innovative content and services. Based on an online survey by Community Broadband Network in late 2004, the report identifies 550 broadband initiatives, many of which are located in rural areas and are less than two years old. It estimates that some 50,000 homes and businesses are supported by these programmes, with 40 per cent of the projects covering between 50 and 500 users and around half operating on an even smaller scale. Greater affordability of wireless technologies is the primary technological impetus for these projects, with funding, user support, technical deployment and internet backhaul costs cited as the primary barriers to deployment of broadband networks.
http://www.broadband-uk.coop/papers/Springing%20Up%20All%20Over%20Report.pdf
