IN this week's SME Focus we hear from a telecoms entrepreneur whose business takes him on trips to remote and beautiful corners of Scotland that are not necessarily peaceful.

Name: John Fitzgerald.

Age: 54.

What is your business called?

Internet Anywhere.

Where is it based?

Dundonald, Kilmarnock.

What does it produce, what services does it offer?

It is Scotland's largest re-seller of satellite technology to enable businesses to get an internet connection regardless of location, including some of Scotland's most isolated places. If a connection isn't available from traditional broadband or 3G/4G, customers can connect a satellite that finds a signal and allows them to get online.

Although most UK locations are able to connect to fixed-line broadband delivered over telephone or fibre-optic cables, satellite broadband provides a lifeline for many areas where it is not cost-effective to lay cables.

Instead, customers can use a small satellite dish and a modem or wifi router, which connects to the computer. It can be installed and connected within three hours.

Who does it sell to?

Various sectors including construction, renewables, engineering and farming. We have more than 500 clients who work in remote locations and need communications, whether that be internet, wifi or telephone - when no other options available.

What is its turnover?

£400,000

How many employees? Four

When was it formed?

May 2012

Why did you take the plunge?

I have an extensive background in telecommunications and saw the gap in the market for gaining access to a telecommunications signal outside of the established network. Scotland has more than 330,000 people who will never have access to high-speed broadband without a satellite link-up and these are all potential customers.

Also, KA Band Satellites came on to the market in around 2011 and made satellite connections much more affordable for businesses. Combining the gap in the market with the technology to capitalise upon it lead me to take the plunge.

What were you doing before you took the plunge?

I am a telecommunications engineer to trade and have worked with telecoms companies including BT, Fujitsu, Tyco International and DX Communications.

How did you raise the start-up funding?

The business was grown organically, which was something of a challenge.

We could not get access to finance as the banks were reluctant to lend during the period when I was trying to borrow. This has meant I have not been able to grow as quickly as I'd have liked although the customer base is there .

Fuel is expensive and we also have to pay for equipment for new customers up-front, so cash flow is essential.

What was your biggest break?

Two moments have defined the business's success.

One, winning the Scottish Enterprise (Entrepreneurial Spark) EDGE competition to be awarded £35,000 in funding in June last year. We were selected from 600 companies across Scotland.

I was in the eSpark hatchery in Ayrshire from April 2012 to May 2013 and can't overemphasise how beneficial eSpark has been. One of the main things which has helped us grow is the access it gives you to business mentors. These are people who have already "made it", and their wealth of knowledge is extremely valuable.

eSpark is great for taking you out of your comfort zone, offering guidance on things like presentations, pitches and networking - all areas which I wasn't accustomed to before. They are also great for helping you to establish networks and link with the right people to expand your operation.

Two, linked to EDGE and eSpark, Internet Anywhere won a contract to supply Royal Bank of Scotland's mobile bank vans with technology to give them a telecoms signal. These vans supply some of the most remote communities in Scotland with their banking needs and Internet Anywhere is allowing them to communicate directly with RBS's main systems.

What was your worst moment?

Being disturbed from a job by a herd of slightly angry cows at a location outside Aviemore. No amount of finance issues can compare to that.

The hardest job Internet Anywhere has done was in the tiny outpost of Kerracher, Kylesku, 40 miles north of Ullapool.

The job was to connect up a crofting house that was only accessible by ferry and then a 40-minute walk from the road. We drove the van as far as it would go then had to unload all the kit and carry it about two extra miles to the house.

What do you most enjoy about running the business?

Scotland is our office. We live in one of the world's most beautiful countries and our team gets to explore it on a daily basis. The majority of our work is done in some of the most isolated locations the country has to offer, with scenery which is incomparable to any city centre office space. I have visited all corners of this country and see the land in all its glory.

What do you least enjoy?

Midges. An absolute killer in the summer.

What is your biggest bugbear?

Access to finance can be tricky. The model of our business means banks are often reluctant to give out large chunks of finance. We are essentially a small utility company and our business model means we are solely dependent on monthly payments from customers for cash. New connections are key and the quicker we can source new customers, the higher our revenue will be.

What are your ambitions for the firm?

To continue expanding our customer base. I would eventually like to see every part of the UK with an internet connection.

What are your top priorities?

Expanding my customer base and keeping them happy; infiltrating new sectors that are operating in remote areas; sourcing more finance; increasing visibility of Internet Anywhere by building the brand; boosting public understanding of what satellite broadband actually is - many people are still unaware.

What could the Westminster and/or Scottish Governments do that would help?

Continued Scottish Government support for start-ups is key. eSpark have been fundamental to our success through their network and mentoring. More initiatives such as these can only help.

How do you relax?

I occasionally find time for a game of squash. I'm also a keen mechanic and a fan of modifying Land Rovers.