More than 25,000 homes and businesses in Cumbria can now order one of the fastest and most reliable broadband in Europe.
Carlisle, Cleator Moor, Penrith, Dalston and Shap are some of the areas set to benefit from the new technology, as Openreach engineers continue to build the network across the county.
So far, Openreach has already spent around £10m on trade and in partnership with Cumbria County Council’s Connecting Cumbria scheme.
The new ultra-fast and ultra-reliable ‘full fibre’ network is up to ten times faster than the average UK broadband connection and around five times more reliable than the old copper-based network it replaces, but thousands of residents and businesses have yet to upgrade and are not enjoying the benefits of the new technology.
READ MORE: Carlisle’s Office Technology Corporation announces huge partnership with Canon
Robert Thorburn, Openreach’s Director of Partnerships for the North West, said: “Research shows that this new network will give businesses an advantage and provide families and homeworkers with future-proof, low-cost connectivity. no matter what life throws at us next.
“Following our previous work in partnership with Cumbria County Council, our business investment across Cumbria continues apace, and we are committed to providing an excellent service that helps communities thrive and helps people to easily work from home, stay in touch with loved ones and create connections and opportunities.”
Planning and building a full fiber optic network in one of the UK’s most challenging geographical areas is no small feat and the technical challenges are intensifying as engineers reach the remotest rural communities. remotest parts of the county.
Engineers also need to ensure that work fits into the agricultural calendar as well as the busiest times of the tourist season to minimize disruption.
Adding the constraints of the National Park, many very long, fine and winding roads and working in one of the wettest places in the UK, crews need to be prepared for any eventuality and the job can take much longer than in the UK. more urban geographies.
Councilor David Southward, Cabinet Member of the Cumbria County Council for Economic Development, added: “The value of fast broadband connections to businesses and homes in Cumbria cannot be overstated. Tourism, the food retail industry and many other small businesses need fast and reliable connections so that instead of having to constantly search for customers, customers find them.”
