Businesses and families in rural north Norfolk communities have benefited from better broadband thanks to a wireless system which has had an 'exciting' first year.

ThinkingWISP was developed by the Norfolk Rural Community Council (NRCC), AF Affinity, a subsidiary of Anglia Farmers agricultural buying group in Honingham Thorpe, near Norwich, and InTouch Systems, based in Hurricane Way, Norwich, which provides IT systems to businesses, government and schools.

Properties which use the service do not need a phone line and have a choice of three different speeds of broadband – three, eight or 10Mbs (megabits per second).

Jon Clemo, chief executive at NRCC, said: 'This is key as broadband is about more than just infrastructure; our goal is to help people and businesses get the benefits from a fast, reliable and high quality service.'

The system received just over �37,000 from Defra and the EU and uses radio waves from a transmitter at Norwich airport to a mast close to Marsham, near Aylsham.

Transmitters on the mast then broadcast the signal in all directions to small aerials, which are fixed on to properties.

Mr Clemo added: 'It is nice to be able to get groups and businesses and individuals a real solution on the ground with the broadband issue.'

ThinkingWISP has expanded over the first year and 20 small aerials have been put up over the past month, including at Lenwade, Themelthorpe, Swannington, Cawston, Rackheath, Calthorpe and Bradeston.

For more information about the paid for service, call 01603 558001 or visit www.thinkingwisp.co.uk