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Welcome to the July edition of the Connecting Cumbria newsletter. As we move through the warmer months, progress continues at pace across broadband and mobile infrastructure, alongside new opportunities for communities, businesses and organisations to benefit from improved connectivity across Cumbria.
The UK Government’s Project Gigabit programme continues to make steady progress, supporting the rollout of gigabit‑capable broadband to even the most rural and hard‑to‑reach areas.
Across Cumbria, the rollout is expected to reach up to 58,000 properties and is progressing actively across rural communities, with nearly 35,000 premises already able to access gigabit-capable broadband services.
Work over the summer period will include continued network build, local engagement and community awareness activity. Residents are encouraged to check availability and register interest via the Home - Hyperfast GB website to stay informed about plans for their area.
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Alongside publicly funded delivery, commercial providers continue to expand full fibre networks across the county.
As new areas become live, residents and businesses may wish to review their current broadband packages to ensure they are benefitting from the improved speeds and reliability now available.
Checking tools such as the Ofcom broadband checker remain useful for understanding what services can be accessed at a given property and for comparing provider options.
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Work to improve mobile coverage continues through national programmes including the Emergency Services Network (ESN) and the Shared Rural Network (SRN).
These programmes are helping to enhance coverage in areas that have historically experienced limited or unreliable signal. Additional mast upgrades and improvements are expected throughout 2026, supporting both everyday connectivity and emergency response capabilities.
While overall coverage continues to improve, local conditions, terrain and network demand can still affect real‑world performance. Residents and businesses are encouraged to use the Ofcom Mobile Availability Checker (here) to understand current coverage levels in their area.
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The Borderlands 5G Innovation Region programme continues to move forward, with permanent infrastructure now being embedded across key sites including rural and visitor economy locations.
Through summer 2026, the focus is on developing practical applications of 5G technology, supporting sectors such as tourism, environmental monitoring and rural enterprise. These projects are helping to demonstrate how advanced connectivity can unlock new opportunities and support economic growth across the region.
To find out more, visit the Borderlands 5G Innovation Region webpage here and following the programme on LinkedIn here.
Connecting Cumbria, working on behalf of Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness Councils, is progressing the Northern Mobile Resilience Forum to bring together elected representatives, industry and communities to strengthen mobile network resilience across the North of England and South of Scotland.
As part of this work, Connecting Cumbria has also been engaging with Cumbria’s MPs to highlight local connectivity challenges and push for further action to support rural communities.
Reliable communications are vital for everyday life and emergency response, particularly in rural areas. As the UK’s digital switchover continues, mobile networks are playing an increasingly important role in how people access services.
The Forum will help bring partners together to share information, identify risks and support improvements to mobile resilience, linking with wider resilience work.
Updates on the Forum will be shared in future newsletters.
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Cumbria's communities have long faced the challenges that come with being one of England's most rural and sparsely populated regions. Varied terrain, dispersed populations, and complex infrastructure mean that improving mobile connectivity here cannot rely on a one-size-fits-all approach. The right intervention, in the right place, depends on precise, location-specific evidence and that is exactly what we felt was missing.
That is why Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council, together with Oxfordshire County Council, are proud to be founding members of Digital Places: a collaborative membership programme that brings local authorities together to identify and address mobile connectivity challenges in a way that no single council could achieve alone.
Through Digital Places, Connecting Cumbria has already gained early insights into where connectivity problems exist, where the causes lie, and in some cases, where operators have already taken action to resolve historical issues. This evidence base is helping to build a clearer, more detailed picture of mobile service across the region, which will strengthen Cumbria's ability to engage with the telecoms market, make the case for targeted investment where it is needed most, and simplify procurement for faster implementation.
For communities across Cumbria, that means a stronger local voice, real-world data, and a programme designed to deliver real, measurable improvement.
To find out more visit www.digitalplaces.org.uk and follow Digital Places on LinkedIn to keep up to date with the programme.
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Summer brings a packed calendar of major sporting events, many of which are now watched through online streaming services rather than traditional TV.
Watching live sport in HD or 4K requires a fast, reliable internet connection to avoid buffering or interruptions — whether at home or on the move. From gardens and holiday accommodation to pubs and cafés, both broadband and mobile coverage play a key role in keeping fans connected.
As more people stream sport across multiple devices, good connectivity helps ensure everyone can enjoy the action without disruption — supporting not only viewers, but also local businesses showing live events.
Check the options available to your premise here and remember to use one the Ofcom accredited price comparison sites to make sure you are getting the best deal available to you here.
If your business is doing something special this summer, we'd love to hear from you.
We're particularly interested in stories that show how broadband, mobile connectivity or other digital technologies are helping your business reach customers, support visitors, sell products online, take bookings, promote events or deliver services more effectively.
We can help showcase your success free of charge through the Connecting Cumbria website, social media channels and newsletter, helping you reach a wider audience across the county.
To get involved and become our next case study, please contact the Connecting Cumbria team at info@connectingcumbria.org.uk.
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