News & Events

The B4RN Book: A Community Story Now Complete

B4RN is proud to announce the completion of The B4RN Book — a remarkable collection written by volunteers that tells the story of how our project communities came together to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to some of the most rural parts of the UK.

From the earliest days, the journey was never straightforward. The challenges were many, from digging through tough ground to navigating the complexities of designing and building a network from scratch. Yet what made B4RN unique as an internet service provider (ISP) was the way communities continued to rally behind the idea and refused to give up. Volunteers brought not just hard work, but laughter, creativity, and determination to every trench, every cabinet, and every connection.

The book captures these moments, the hurdles, the humour, the victories, and above all, the people, in a way that honours everyone who has been part of the journey.

For B4RN, reading your stories has been both humbling and inspiring.

Read the book here: https://book.b4rn.community
Please note: the file is very large (over 1 GB). We recommend reading it online rather than downloading, as it could quickly fill up your device’s memory.

For comparison, War and Peace is only about 1 MB, while the B4RN book is around 1,040 MB! That’s why it’s easier to enjoy it chapter by chapter on the website. Each chapter also has its own photo gallery.

B4RN’s CEO, Tom Rigg, said:

“This book is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when communities come together with determination and heart. It’s not just the story of broadband — it’s the story of resilience, innovation, and people who refused to give up. We are proud to share it as a tribute to every volunteer and supporter who made B4RN possible.”

The completion of The B4RN Book is more than a milestone in writing; it is a living record of what community spirit can achieve. It stands as a celebration of the past, a thank you to those who made it possible, and a legacy for the future.