NameHerefordshire Community Networks CIC OverviewCommunity FTTP scheme covering an initial 28 properties, mixed residential and small business, financing 50/50 from community shares and connection vouchers LocationSparsely rural hamlets of Dewsall and Callow, 5 miles from centre of Hereford city, covering 500 hectares Technology employed100% underground FTTP Number of premises covered – initial estimate28 connected, 44 passed – 65% take-up at start Cost (project total) – initial estimate£1,950 per premise connected Cost (per premises passed) – initial estimate£1,275 Number of premises covered – finalised schemeExpected to be 44 Cost (project total) – finalised scheme£66,000 Cost (per premises passed) – finalised scheme£1,500, all connected Time taken from initial concept to successful fund raising12 months Time taken from successful fund raising to first live customers3 months Type of ownership model(s) (1-6)5 – The infrastructure is owned by the community, but operated by the supplier due to a requirement of the connection voucher scheme, where build can only be undertaken by a supplier who operates the network for minimum 6 months. The community interest company has the option to take over the operation of the network once this period is over Funding source(s)£66,000 funding total. £27,000 SMEs in scheme awarded nine BDUK connection vouchers from Digital Birmingham. £39,000 Balance raised by 39 community shareholders (£1,000 each), which are SEIS eligible (see funding option page) Arrangements/costs for wayleavesLed by Duchy of Cornwall as major landowner, all wayleaves were granted for the community scheme for payment of a peppercorn rent if demanded Legal structure of community groupCommunity Interest Company Feasibility work undertaken byWansdyke Ltd Websitewww.hereford-cic.net ContactDavid Bland, Company Secretary, 01432 617017 Major lesson(s) learntBackhaul (BT) was a major problem. Initial installation dates were missed, then pushed back by up to four months. Major petitioning required on BT Openreach who responded positively, and final delay was under two months