Herefordshire to receive medieval boost to broadband

A new system to deliver faster broadband to rural communities has been launched in the Diocese of Hereford.

Villages can access a high speed service earlier than the government's aim of 2015, by using medieval buildings.

Churches in Herefordshire, South Shropshire and parts of Worcestershire can apply for a transmitter to be installed on their towers.

The launch follows a trial in the Herefordshire village of Kingstone.

The system is being run by allpay and will target rural areas still on dial-up or those with a slow internet connection.

The Diocese of Hereford has agreed to a model licence allowing the firm to roll out the 4Mb wireless service.

Anni Holden, spokeswoman for the diocese, said the scheme would benefit churches which will receive a fee of £500 a year plus a further amount based on the number of users in an area.

She said: "We have more than 400 churches and any of them can apply to be involved. Several have already been approved.

"It can improve the reception in rural areas for individuals and for rural businesses which could otherwise get left behind."