The network will succeed based on the quality and range of services that will be delivered over it.

Initially at least our vision is to create an open network where all service providers can have access to users on the network, enabling a free market for services. The business relationships that we establish with service providers are therefore critical to the successful take up of network connectivity by households and businesses alike.

Services

As the network will be owned and controlled by the community that it serves, all "on-net" traffic (i.e. traffic between parties who are all directly connected to the local network) can be provided either totally free of charge or at very low cost. This would include VOIP phone calls and video conference calls between parties that are local, for example.

We would expect to be able to provide conventional triple-play services (internet services, TV and phone) via several potential service providers, and in addition we envisage a raft of innovative service providers offering diverse services, some locally focused, e.g. telecare, telemedicine, community safety and policing, online credit union services, local e-government services, etc.

Given the symmetric nature of the fibre network (i.e. upload speeds are as fast as downloads) we would expect to see growth in the number of locally based service providers and content creators using the network to publish their work, and this would be encouraged. We would seek to invest a proportion of profits into the development of local skills in the fast growing new media industries that will develop with the rise in high speed networks globally, supporting local development in the knowledge economy.