Create Your Business Plan

In order to build a commercially viable and sustainable network, you'll need to have a solid business plan that clearly defines how you will deliver digital connectivity services that meet the community's needs, and how this will be done in a way that is financially sustainable. This essentially involves identifying your community's needs and the applications and use cases that the network will need to support, as well as working out the business models and the associated cost/revenue analyses and setting up the community enterprise organization that will secure the funding and finance to build and operate the network and 'run the business' going forward:

• Identifying Your Connectivity Needs
  Each community is different, and so too are its connectivity needs. You'll need to consider various factors when starting to think about developing a community-led solution for your area.
• Business Models
  The commercial viability of your community network hinges on the business model being suitable and fit for purpose. This topic will help you to explore features and options that will inform your business model.
• Organisational Matters
  In order to progress with a connectivity project, a community will need to form a community enterprise. This section describes and compares various community-led organisational structures.
• Funding and Finance
  In order to develop a community-owned network, you will need to secure funding and finance for your project. This section outlines potential sources of funding and finance for your community venture.