How It Works
B4SH is different. We are a not-for-profit organisation bringing internet speeds only dreamt of to the Surrey Hills, years ahead of schedule, at no fixed cost.
B4SH is different. We are a not-for-profit organisation bringing internet speeds only dreamt of to the Surrey Hills, years ahead of schedule, at no fixed cost.
We are new, independent and don’t use the existing copper network. Our network is all fibre, ie fibre to the home (FTTH). You can influence whether we bring the network to your area, but we will extend the network “domino style” by going from one adjacent area to the next.
We are also run by volunteers – including our directors.
We rely on free wayleaves (permission to dig) across soft land land ie we generally approach properties from the rear.
We bring the technology but ask volunteers/property owners to dig across their own gardens to their property wall.
We are funded by community investors buying redeemable shares. There can be no shareholder dividends and any surplus must be re-invested in community projects. Anyone purchasing shares becomes a member of B4SH and is entitled to vote at general meetings. HMRC have also given pre-approval for Social Investment Tax Relief (SITR), meaning private investors can claim a tax rebate of 30%.
See this youtube video from a little while ago; note B4RN now have over 7,000 services connected:
We have modelled ourselves on the highly successful Broadband for the Rural North (B4RN).
Using their model, we have made great progress, receiving an ever increasing amount of interest and investment from Surrey Hills residents. B4SH will extend the network based on areas “pulling” us towards them. This will be demonstrated by a high number of potential subscribers, meeting an investment target but, perhaps most importantly, volunteers in the community working with us as a team to extend the network.
We cannot do it without you.
We are currently targeting our rollout to reach those early “pioneer investors” who were so supportive of us when we started. We thank them for their patience and support.
We are a company owned by the people, for the people. A truly ethical company that supports the local community.
