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Welcome to the November 2023 edition of the Connecting Cumbria newsletter.
This edition directs readers to the recent Government announcement as Borderlands is named as a 5G Innovation Region, provides information on Project Gigabit, informs readers how Project Gigabit deliverer Fibrus are empowering their staff through climate change training, provides information on how to check current fixed line broadband and mobile connectivity and reminds readers of the availability of social tariffs and how to access them. We also talk to businesses from both the Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness areas of our county about how their broadband service supports them in what they do.
If you would like to see any specific topics covered in future editions of the Connecting Cumbria newsletter, or if you have any queries regarding connectivity in your area then please forward these to the team at info@connectingcumbria.org.uk
The Borderlands has been named as one of ten 5G Innovation Regions to share in a £36 million fund from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
The successful areas will lead on delivering the Government’s vision for communities across the UK to take full advantage of the transformative effect that advanced wireless connectivity and digital technologies can provide.
The successful 5G bid submitted by the Borderlands Partnership comprises five local authorities in England and Scotland - Cumberland Council, Dumfries and Galloway Council, Northumberland County Council, Scottish Borders Council and Westmorland and Furness Council.
Find out more here.
Read the UK Government release on this here.
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In Cumbria, UK Government awarded the Project Gigabit contract to Fibrus Ltd, who will be providing wholesale services on the publicly funded infrastructure under the brand Hyperfast GB. This contract, which is in delivery phase, has to date served over 1,000 properties across our county. Deployment under this contract will continue until 2026.
As Project Gigabit gains momentum across Cumbria, readers are urged to follow the Hyperfast GB website and their Facebook page for all the latest news and information.
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Cumbria Action for Sustainability (CAfS) has partnered with broadband provider Fibrus to deliver carbon literacy training for 150 staff and contractors in Cumbria.
Delivered by CAfS, who hold the prestigious title of Platinum Carbon Literate Organisation, training covers carbon footprints, the impact of everyday actions on the environment, and the urgency of taking collective action to restore the delicate balance of our planet.
Read more here.
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The Ofcom mobile and broadband checker lets you:
Enter a postcode to view services at any property in the UK; you can also view the results as interactive maps.
If you have any questions regarding any aspect of connectivity in your area, please direct these to the team at info@connectingcumbria.org.uk
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Social tariffs are cheaper broadband and phone packages for people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits. Some providers call them ‘essential’ or ‘basic’ broadband. We strongly urge eligible customers, or those that work with potentially eligible customers, to check out these packages and help raise awareness of the availability of this route to connectivity.
Find out more here.
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Whitehaven based Marsden Makes Co. provide graphic design services to clients near and far in a range of formats from unique gifts to branded merchandise.
Abi Marsden, the founder and creator of this local business said “having a strong, stable and reliable broadband service has been so important to me establishing my business”.
Find out about how Abi’s fixed line broadband and 4G service supports her in providing the service she does here.
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Based in Kendal, A Digital is a specialist digital agency building advanced websites that integrate with business systems, building operational efficiency and digital assets that scale and support digital and business transformation.
We talked to Founder and Director Andrew Armitage about how the arrival of fibre broadband in Kendal and indeed the improvement of connectivity across Cumbria is having a positive effect on the services A Digital are able to provide.
Andrew said “we focus on digital strategy, website design and digital marketing, all of which are dependent on the availability of good connectivity for both ourselves and our clients”.
Read more here.
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Call to Cumbria Businesses
Are you a business in either the Westmorland and Furness or Cumberland areas using fixed line or mobile connectivity to support what you do? We are really keen to talk to you about this with a view to creating our next case study story. We are especially interested in Christmas themed case studies this time of year.
If you would like to get involved, then please contact the team at info@connectingcumbria.org.uk. We look forward to hearing from you.
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