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Welcome to the May 2024 edition of the Connecting Cumbria newsletter.
This edition of the newsletter celebrates Connecting Cumbria’s progress on its Digital Infrastructure Strategy, provides an update on the current connectivity improvements happening across our county, including the Borderlands 5G Innovation Region programme and takes a look at how two Cumbria based businesses are using improved connectivity to support what they do.
If you have any queries regarding connectivity in your area, then please forward these to the team at info@connectingcumbria.org.uk
Digital infrastructure, both fixed line broadband and mobile connectivity, has become increasingly critical for all residents, businesses and visitors in Cumbria.
Since launching the Digital Infrastructure Strategy in November 2020, Connecting Cumbria, working on behalf of Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council has made significant progress in delivering projects and programmes to improve connectivity across the county.
An update report has been prepared describing progress. Click here to view the Digital Infrastructure Strategy.
The press release relating to the release of the Digital Infrastructure Strategy Update can be found here.
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Project Gigabit delivery continues across Cumbria. This up to £108m gigabit-capable broadband scheme will improve connectivity across our county through targeting up to 60,000 properties that are not expected to be reached through commercial deployment programmes.
You can follow all the latest news and find out all the latest deployment information via the Hyperfast GB website where you are now able to check the status of your property using the ‘check availability’ tab.
In addition to the delivery of the UK Government Project Gigabit programme, Hyperfast GB are keen to hear from students 16yrs and over seeking work experience placements and currently have 8 graduate employment opportunities up for grabs in Cumbria. Find out more here or contact the Hyperfast GB team here.
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There is a strong commercial programme of works by a number of providers to further enhance connectivity happening across our region with these programmes 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
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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% outdoor geographical 4G coverage in the UK from at least one Mobile Network Operator by 2025. The Connecting Cumbria team are committed to supporting this piece of work. Keep up with all the latest developments on this here.
You can find out more about current mobile connectivity in your area using the Ofcom mobile availability checker here.
Since our last newsletter the programme has continued to progress the procurement process to appoint a supplier to the programme with the deadline for submissions at the end of this month. The supplier is expected to be appointed this summer.
Representatives from each of the five local authorities in England and Scotland which make up the Borderlands Partnership (Cumberland Council, Dumfries and Galloway Council, Northumberland County Council, Scottish Borders Council and Westmorland and Furness Council) continue to develop the plan of works for five initial sites across the Borderlands area. These sites are:
- Windermere 5G Ferry
- Kielder Castle and Forest
- Stranraer Marina
- The Sill @ Hadrian’s Wall
- Destination Tweed
The announcement that the Borderlands has been named as one of the ten 5G Innovation Regions by UK Government can be found here.
5G is a critical emerging technology which will create a range of opportunities for business, leisure, transport, service delivery and safety. We are continuing to look at opportunities across Cumbria to ensure that Cumbria is positioned to maximise benefits from this technology for our businesses, residents and visitors.
Readers are directed to the below information sources to find out more:
Borderlands 5G Innovation Region – please click here.
5G New Thinking – please click here.
Digital Connectivity Infrastructure Accelerator 5G – please click here.
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Community Catalysts are building a network of small enterprises that can offer care and support to people in their local community. Through a partnership with Westmorland and Furness Council, they are working with local people to develop new enterprises within the South Lakeland and Eden area, that can provide support to people in their homes. We talked to Hannah Turner about how access to online connectivity supports them in what they do.
Find out more here.
If you would like to receive more information regarding the Community Catalyst program, or to have an informal chat regarding the opportunities available, visit Work for yourself community support | Community Catalysts or contact Hannah Turner at hannah.turner@communitycatalysts.co.uk , 07435 943901
You can find small enterprises in your area on the Small Good Stuff directory: www.smallgoodstuff.co.uk/cumbria
Based in the city of Carlisle, Just Messin is a Children’s creative play centre with a difference aimed at children from 6 months to 11 years.
We all know how much kids love to get messy. Just Messin provides an opportunity for them to do just that in a safe and fun environment using a variety of props depending on the age of the participant.
Christina Frost who owns and runs the business talked to us about the service she provides and how important the availability of a faster fibre broadband service has been to its successful running.
Find out more here.
Visit the Just Messin website here.
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You can now follow the team on social media for all the latest news and information regarding connectivity across Cumbria.
Facebook
X (formerly Twitter)
Any likes and shares are always appreciated.
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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.
If you would like to get involved, benefiting from local and possible national publicity through our programme, then please contact the team at info@connectingcumbria.org.uk. We look forward to hearing from you.
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