The Government has announced the successful bids for its £10m innovation fund to explore ways to take superfast broadband to the most remote and hardest to reach places in the UK. Eight different projects using a range of technologies have been shortlisted to progress to the feasibility stage, ahead of deployment later this year.

The Countryside Alliance welcomed the announcement of the eight innovative projects to test alternative ways of boosting superfast broadband coverage in rural areas.

Countryside Alliance head of policy Sarah Lee said: “This is very welcome news and a great stride forward in the drive to improve rural connectivity. We have always said that a mix of technologies, rather than fixed line broadband, would answer to the question of how to provide superfast broadband to the final five per cent of homes and businesses in rural areas.

“By using a variety of means, including wireless and satellite provision, and investigating different ways to fund these projects, we hope the Government will find the key to improving broadband coverage in rural areas.

“We look forward to seeing the results of these trials. Superfast broadband is becoming as vital to communities as water and heating.”

With the Government’s current nationwide rollout already reaching more than 20,000 new premises each week and on track to deliver superfast to 95 per cent of the UK by 2017, Government is now focusing on exploring ways to reach those premises in the final 5 per cent. The eight shortlisted pilots will explore how to expand coverage in remote areas, using fixed wireless and satellite technologies, a social investment financial model and an operating model which aggregates small rural networks, to ensure no-one is left behind in the digital slow lane.

Rural Affairs Minister Dan Rogerson said: "Fast and reliable broadband revolutionises everything from how we work and how our children learn, to how we spend our leisure time and engage with public services. It is critical that we explore how to get superfast broadband out to these hard to reach areas to allow business to be more productive, innovative and competitive, which is crucial for building a stronger rural economy and fairer society."