THE winners have been announced for a £10m governmment fund to explore ways of bringing superfast broadband to the UK's most remote areas.

Eight different projects using a range of technologies have been shortlisted to progress to the feasibility stage, ahead of deployment later this year.

Details of the eight projects are available here.

They include using fixed wireless and satellite technologies, a social investment financial model and an operating model which aggregates small rural networks.

With plans on track to deliver superfast broadband to 95% of the UK by 2017, the government said it was now focusing on exploring ways to reach those premises in the final 5%.

Rural affairs minister Dan Rogerson said: "Fast and reliable broadband revolutionises everything from how we work and how our children learn, to how we spend our leisure time and engage with public services.

"It is critical that we explore how to get superfast broadband out to these hard to reach areas to allow business to be more productive, innovative and competitive, which is crucial for building a stronger rural economy and fairer society."

Several of the winners are members of the Independent Networks Co-operative Association.

INCA chief executive Malcolm Corbett: "This is a very useful initiative and we are keen to help local authorities and INCA members learn from the trials.

"There is a huge amount of experience, professionalism and entrepreneurial enthusiasm in the independent sector that can play a big role in creating Britain's future digital infrastructure."

INCA would help promote the different schemes so local authorities could use the lessons learned from the various projects.

This would help authorities create a more competitive environment for the £500m of government and local funding to extend superfast services - Phase 2 of the main BDUK programme.