More funding wanted for rural internet

Masts have been placed on the South Shropshire hills and valley

Rural Shropshire residents say more funding is needed if the government is to honour its commitment to internet provision.

Some South Shropshire residents have their broadband provided by wind-powered masts - which only work if the weather conditions are favourable.

On Wednesday, it was announced the government would trial super-fast broadband in four rural areas.

It was among a handful of projects to survive the Spending Review.

A Digital Britain report has said it wants universal access to broadband by 2012.

Hills and valleys

The masts that bring South Shropshire residents their broadband are placed on a series of hills and valleys.

They are powered by wind and sun and batteries as some areas are not connected to electricity.

Resident John Williams said if it is cloudy and there is no wind, then he has no internet connection.

Their broadband is provided by Shiloh Jentec and managing director Phil Harris said he was providing it at a loss.

"If we didn't have a commercial arm to our business and other business activities we couldn't provide this service because it loses us a considerable amount of money per month," he said.