Project Gigabit delivery continues across Cumbria.  This £108m gigabit-capable broadband scheme will improve connectivity across our county.  Further details regarding deployment are available via the Hyperfast GB website where you can check the status of your property using the ‘check availability’ tab, and the Hyperfast GB Facebook page. 

The properties included in this programme are currently being reviewed by Building Digital UK, an executive agency of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, with the expectation that additional properties in Cumbria will be released for deployment planning by Fibrus under the contract. Please note that we do not have a firm timescale for this process, but we are hopeful that it will be completed early in the New Year.

Alongside this, there is a strong commercial programme of works by a number of providers which will further enhance connectivity across our region. These programmes are investing over £300m, and creating significant jobs, with deployment expected to reach more than 200,000 properties. 

Find out which companies are currently offering services in your area using the Ofcom broadband checker tool.

If you have a question regarding connectivity in a specific area, please send your full postal address to info@connectingcumbria.org.uk

Mobile Network Operators and Government are working together to transform mobile coverage countywide through the UK Government Shared Rural Network mobile programme, which is seeking to deliver 95% geographical 4G coverage in the UK from at least one Mobile Network Operator by 2025 and 84% from all four.  The Connecting Cumbria team are committed to supporting this piece of work.  Keep up with all the latest developments on this here.

You can check current mobile connectivity in your area using the Ofcom mobile availability checker here.

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At this time of year in particular there are an array of offers available from a host of different service providers.  We would urge readers to shop around for a service which best fits their needs whilst providing them with value for money.  Being a savvy shopper can really make a difference in today’s competitive market. 

We also urge readers to remember that social tariffs, which are cheaper broadband and phone packages for people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits are available.  Some providers call them ‘essential’ or ‘basic’ broadband.  More information on these can be found here.

Since our last newsletter and the announcement of AWTG Ltd as lead supplier of the Borderlands 5G Innovation Region programme, significant progress has been made with regard to the delivery of innovative 5G solutions across five sites in the Borderlands.  The team are currently focussing on the high level radio design and engaging with key stakeholders in each of the initial five sites:

• Destination Tweed
• Kielder Castle and Forest
• Stranraer Marina
• The Sill @ Hadrian’s Wall
• Windermere 5G Ferry

As part of the programme the delivery team is currently seeking to engage with key stakeholders for the Windermere area, the tourism sector, public services and others to increase understanding about the 5G Innovation Regions programme. In support of this, the delivery team and programme delivery partner, AWTG Ltd, are planning to be part of the upcoming Glebe Park Christmas markets which are taking place on Sunday 1^st December 2024. 

Representatives from AWTG and Connecting Cumbria will be on site for the duration of the event to demonstrate how the provision of advanced wireless technology can be of benefit in such areas and answer any questions which are presented on the day. 

Aspatria embroidery, gift and party supplies firm Gift and Stitch have taken massive leaps forward in their business since we first spoke to them back in 2019.

We caught up with owner, Dawn Richardson, as she prepares for the busy Christmas period, to find out what they have been up to and how the arrival of gigabit broadband in Aspatria is supporting them in all that they do. 

Dawn said “since we have moved premise, the business has gone from strength to strength with the expansion of the products and services we have available.  The team working in the shop has grown and behind the scenes we are busier than ever with the number of embroidery contracts we are now fulfilling. This growth has exceeded our expectations; we have loved watching it happen and are extremely grateful for all the support of our customers along the way”. 

Read the full story here.

Harrison Ward is an outdoor cook, author, mental health speaker and TV personality.

After discovering a passion for hiking in 2016 following a drastic life change, it wasn’t long before a lifetime love of cooking was merged with his new hobby. He can often be found creating delicious, restaurant style meals with minimal camping equipment in the hills and publicly speaking about his battle with alcoholism, depression and obesity.

We caught up with Harrison to find out how access to online services is so important to what he does.

Read the full story here.