Broadband provider Fibrus has announced that the first homes have been connected as part of the new £108 million gigabit-capable broadband scheme to improve connectivity in rural Cumbria.
Fibrus was awarded the Project Gigabit contract for Cumbria in November 2022, with a remit for the provision of full fibre broadband to around 60,000 premises in the area.
It has taken six months for residents in Staveley to experience the benefits of the fastest broadband on the market thanks to new technology provided by Fibrus. All newly connected properties in Staveley are now using cutting edge technology which offers broadband speeds of up to 2Gbps.
Project Gigabit is the biggest broadband rollout in British history, backed with £5bn from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to deliver lightning-fast broadband connections to hard-to-reach and rural areas that would otherwise have missed out.
Gigabit capable networks are fast and future-proofed, allowing users to work, stream and scroll online without the battle for bandwidth or disruption often experienced with ageing networks.
Tens of thousands of rural homes and businesses will be able to plug into faster connections in the new network thanks to Project Gigabit, enabling Cumbrian communities to take full advantage of the benefits full fibre broadband can offer.
Fibrus’ chief delivery officer Conor Harrison said: “The efficient execution of this work is testament to the commitment, dedication, and skill of our team members, who are equipped and ready to deliver full fibre broadband to the people of Cumbria.
“Fibrus is privileged to be involved in this transformative project which will change the lives of people living in this part of rural and regional England. We will continue to work hard to fulfil our obligations under this exciting project.”
Minister for Data and Digital Infrastructure, Sir John Whittingdale, said: “The government funded Project Gigabit is a connectivity revolution – delivering lightning-fast broadband for people in some of the UK’s hardest to reach communities. Some 60,000 properties in rural Cumbria will benefit from the finished network, giving residents access to the fastest broadband speeds on the market.
“A modern digital infrastructure unlocks opportunity and powers productivity. Our £5bn investment in Project Gigabit ensures every corner of the country has access to fast, reliable connectivity – levelling the playing field for years to come”.
Maxine and Keith Brown from Staveley, who were among the first customers connected, were delighted with the efficient installation process and have been enjoying the improved speeds they are getting from their new fibre broadband service.
Keith said: “It’s good to hear that the Government is investing in full fibre broadband in rural areas across Cumbria. Many properties get a terribly slow broadband connection on the old copper service. They’ll be pleased to be connected to fibre so they can do more things online at home.”
Maxine added: “The people who installed our internet were absolutely wonderful. They were in and out with no bother, and everything was explained to us.”
