Project Gigabit delivery through the contract between UK Government and their supplier Fibrus continues across Cumbria.  This gigabit-capable broadband scheme is improving 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. 

Hyperfast GB are hosting their next community meeting for Armathwaite and Ainstable including Lazonby on 28 May 2025 – further details and instructions on how to book your place can be found here.

Following news in our previous newsletter regarding the increase in funding for Project Gigabit in Cumbria, a number of premises have been added to the contract roll-out.  Readers whose properties have previously been excluded from this programme are urged to now check for any changes to this classification via the ‘check availability’ tab on the Hyperfast GB website with Hyperfast GB encouraging people to register an interest for a gigabit broadband service in order to receive a notification once there is a connection available to order. It should be noted that Hyperfast GB is a wholesale network allowing other broadband suppliers to offer services as well as Fibrus.

Read the latest release from Fibrus on this here.

Unfortunately, while almost every property in Cumbria without plans for delivery of gigabit services through commercially led deployment programmes are part of the UK Government Project Gigabit programme not all eligible properties have been able to be incorporated into the contract between UK Government and their supplier Fibrus. Work is progressing to understand the status of this small number of properties and options to ensure that no one and no place is left behind.         

A number of commercial programmes of works continue to be delivered across Cumbria which will further enhance connectivity across our region.

These programmes are investing over £300m 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.

Mobile Network Operators and Government are working together to transform mobile coverage countywide through the UK Government Shared Rural Network mobile programme.  With geographical 4G coverage in the UK from at least one Mobile Network Operator currently at 95%, this programme continues to work towards 84% coverage from all four Mobile Network Operators.  Keep up with all the latest developments on this here.

According to the Ofcom Connected Nations Spring update, outdoor mobile 4G coverage from all four mobile network operators now covers over 76% of Cumbria, which is an increase of 12% from the same time last year. This equates to an additional 800 square kilometres (over 300 square miles) of coverage.  4G coverage from at least one mobile network operator is now at 94%.

A number of Mobile Network Operators have started installing 5G radios into their existing 4G networks across the county. With a focus on areas with increased demands from consumers, coverage is typically focused on urban or high traffic areas.  More information can be found here.

You can check current mobile connectivity, including 5G availability, in your area using the Ofcom mobile availability checker here.

The Borderlands 5G Innovation Region programme has reached an exciting milestone in its delivery with the Borderlands 5G network now being used to support its first wave of live use cases ranging from air quality monitoring to water level tracking and visitor counting.

Using temporary structures the initial network is live at Windermere, with Kielder, Stranraer and Destination Tweed to follow shortly. Subject to planning approval the permanent network will be deployed later in the summer.

Those visiting the venues over the coming months should expect to see vans and hard hats on site as the programme continues with the installing of equipment in a way that fits seamlessly with each venue’s unique character.

Find out more about this programme by visiting the new web page here.

The Connecting Cumbria website now features Cumbria broadband and mobile coverage statistics.  Head over to our home page to find out more here.

Did you know, our website also features information on how to find out what connectivity options are available in your area, case study stories from businesses across the county on the benefits of improved connectivity and details of some of the most frequently asked questions received by the team.

Farm Matters prides itself on being an easy solution catering for all farm record keeping needs, enabling farm records to be managed in one award winning and friendly software package.

Supported by industry experts who are always happy to help, Farm Matters can submit your cattle passport and movement notifications electronically to BCMS (British Cattle Movement Service) or ScotMoves (Scottish Cattle Movement Service) and sheep movements electronically to Livestock Information.

We talked to Neil Wilkinson, who has been developing and supplying farm software to UK farmers for over 25 years about why he is so passionate about the Farm Matters programme and how online connectivity supports what he, and his clients, are able to do with it.

Read more here.

We are looking to talk to businesses from across Cumbria who are using fixed line or mobile connectivity to support what they do and who would be interested in becoming 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.