Welcome to the December 2025 edition of the Connecting Cumbria newsletter.
In this issue we share the latest developments driving improved fixed line and mobile connectivity across Cumbria and beyond, provide an update on the Borderlands 5G Innovation Region programme, guide readers to useful information sources on online fraud, the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) switch-off and social tariffs, and show readers our latest press release which tells the story of how online connectivity is bringing people together this festive season.
We would like to thank our readers for their continued support this year; online connectivity across Cumbria has never been as positive a picture as it is right now and as we move into 2026 our commitment continues to ensure no one and no place is left behind.
If you have any questions regarding online connectivity in your area, then please direct these to the team at info@connectingcumbria.org.uk.
The team wish all a very Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year.
|
As we approach the end of the year, the UK Government’s Project Gigabit programme continues with its goal of delivering gigabit-capable broadband to 99% of UK properties by 2032, combining commercial investment with public funding to make this possible.
In Cumbria, progress is well underway. Connecting Cumbria estimates that by 2027/28, approximately 97% of properties will have access to gigabit-capable broadband. This is a significant step toward future proofing our region and supporting businesses, education, and everyday life.
The regional Project Gigabit contract between Building Digital UK (BDUK) and supplier Fibrus, operating as Hyperfast GB, is central to this effort. Their work will extend gigabit-capable broadband to up to 58,000 properties across the county. Already, more than 26,000 properties can access these services, a milestone worth celebrating as we look ahead to the new year.
To check if your property is included, visit the Hyperfast GB website or follow their Facebook page for updates. Staying informed ensures you’re ready to take advantage of faster, more reliable broadband as it arrives in your area.
|
As the year draws to a close, there’s plenty to celebrate when it comes to connectivity in Cumbria. Many broadband providers are investing their own resources to bring faster, more reliable internet to homes and businesses across the county. These commercial deployments—separate from publicly funded projects—are a vital part of the UK Government’s ambition to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to 99% of UK properties by 2032.
Here in Cumbria, more than 200,000 properties are expected to benefit from major commercial programmes already underway, including those from B4RN, Fibrus, Netomnia, Openreach, Virgin Media O2, and others. This growing competition in the broadband market is excellent news for residents and businesses, promising improved connectivity, greater choice, and better value.
As we look ahead to the new year, now is the perfect time to check what’s available in your area. The Ofcom broadband checker is a great place to start. With multiple networks competing across Cumbria, you can find a package that suits your needs, whether you’re working from home, streaming festive films, or running a business.
This Christmas, let’s celebrate the connections that matter—keeping families, friends, and communities closer than ever.
|
For those living in rural areas where traditional fixed-line broadband isn’t available, satellite broadband, both Low Earth Orbit and geosynchronous based systems, offer a practical solution. These technologies provide connectivity almost anywhere with a clear view of the sky, making it a potential solution for remote homes, farms, and businesses.
Satellite broadband isn’t limited to land-based use, it’s also widely used on ships, camper vans, and even on some trains and planes, ensuring passengers stay connected while on the move. In addition, it can serve as a reliable backup option for households and businesses that need an extra layer of resilience.
If you’re looking for a way to stay online in hard-to-reach locations, satellite broadband could be the answer.
Read more here.
Mobile connectivity is critical across Cumbria during the festive season and beyond, ensuring social cohesion, access to remote healthcare services, continuity of online education, effective community engagement, and resilient business operations.
Mobile Network Operators and the UK Government are working together to dramatically improve mobile coverage across Cumbria through the UK Government Shared Rural Network mobile programme (SRN).
It was announced that 99 government-funded mast upgrades have been activated as part of the SRN programme by the end of November 2025. This includes 44 sites are now live in Wales, 30 in Scotland and 25 in England (including several in Cumbria).
If you want to check your current mobile coverage, including 5G availability, then visit the Ofcom Mobile Availability Checker here.
|
For the Borderlands 5G Innovation Region programme, 2025 has been a year of technical delivery. The team have sought and secured planning permissions, undertaken civils work, deployed fibre backhaul, installed masts, switched on the network, connected sensors, developed a dashboard and started the transition from temporary to permanent infrastructure across all four venues at Kielder, Destination Tweed, Stranraer Marina and Windermere. We are all excited to see how this programme develops further into the new year.
In October, the delivery team at Windermere held an open day giving attendees the opportunity to see the benefits that are now being delivered on the ferry service. This video captures the day and demonstrates what the programme is all about – Windermere 5G In Action | Connecting Cumbria
You can find out more about the programme by visiting the Borderlands 5G Innovation Region webpage here and following us on LinkedIn here.
|
Friends Against Scams is a National Trading Standards Scams Team initiative which aims to protect and prevent people from becoming victims of scams by empowering people to take a stand against them. Connecting Cumbria attended one of their recent events and felt some of the information shared would be useful to our readers. The links below direct you to information on how to identify fraud, how to report fraud and what to do if you are subject to fraud,
Friends Against Scams - Home
Fraud, tricks and scams: guidance - GOV.UK
https://stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk/
Ask Silver- Free Scam Checker
Advice about fraud | Police.uk
As we have advised in previous newsletters, by the end of January 2027 the traditional PSTN which has delivered services over landlines for decades will be completely withdrawn. This process is already underway, with many lines migrated to digital services. The PSTN is outdated, energy-inefficient, costly to maintain, and no longer fit for purpose.
Moving to digital networks will ensure home phone services remain reliable, modern, and future-ready. This transition is part of a nationwide upgrade to digital voice services. However, it is important for users to engage with their service provider during this transition as digital networks are not self-powered, you may need a battery back-up for services during power outages, and some devices will not work with the new service.
If you use assistive technology such as fall alarms or other telecare devices, it’s especially important to contact your service provider to understand how the switch-off may affect you.
For more detailed information, here are some helpful resources:
Ofcom
UK Government
Which?
If you receive benefits such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit, you might qualify for a cheaper broadband or phone package. These discounted deals are called social tariffs, though some providers may refer to them as essential or basic tariffs.
Social tariffs work just like standard packages: the same service, but at a lower price. They’re designed to make staying connected more affordable for those who need it most.
What should you do? If you think you might be eligible, check with your provider to see what options they offer. It’s a quick step that could lead to big savings!
You can find out more about social tariffs here.
Cumbria is celebrating a major milestone, 80% of properties now have access to gigabit-capable broadband, thanks to the combined efforts of Connecting Cumbria, Cumberland Council, Westmorland & Furness Council and the UK Government Project Gigabit programme.
This achievement means faster, more reliable internet for thousands of homes, businesses, and community spaces.
Read the full story here.
|
If your business is using fixed line or mobile connectivity to support what it does and you would be interested in becoming one of our future case study stories, 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.
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.
|
