This investment, through both commercial and publicly funded initiatives, has resulted in more than 95 per cent of homes and businesses now having access to ‘superfast’ broadband speeds of above 30Mbps.
Sixty-two per cent can now enjoy gigabit speeds.
There is also improved mobile connectivity with more than 91 per cent of the county enjoying outdoor 4G geographic coverage from at least one mobile provider, and 65 per cent from all four major UK network providers.
Councillor Chris Southward, Cumberland Council’s cabinet member for digital connectivity and customer focus, said: “A huge amount of progress has been made in improving digital connectivity across the Cumberland area and it is great to see so many businesses and residents now reaping the benefits this brings.
“This is an exciting time in terms of the work being carried out to further improve connectivity and I would encourage everyone to check if they can improve the service to their premise and experience for themselves the difference it can make.”
Aspatria-based Gift and Stitch founder, Dawn Richardson, said: “Having a fast and reliable internet connection is essential.
“Our reliance on our fixed-line broadband service has increased hugely over the past few years and we need it now more than ever to support what we do and work in an effective and efficient way.
“The Christmas rush is starting to really ramp up and having the confidence in my service to know it can deal with the increase in consumer demand and not let me down in terms of capturing and fulfilling orders is priceless.”
More than 95 per cent of homes and businesses across the county can now access superfast broadband speeds of above 30Mbps (Image: Dawn Richardson)
Peter Thornton, digital champion for digital infrastructure, Westmorland and Furness, said: “There is a lot going on to connect homes and businesses across Westmorland and Furness at the moment.
“A huge amount of progress has been made in improving digital connectivity and this work is only going to continue as we try to make sure that no one is left behind.”
The improved connectivity also plays a crucial role in combating isolation and providing support.
The Fell Foodie, Harrison Ward, a mental health speaker and TV personality, said: “Access to online services has become increasingly important in today’s world.
“I think we all take for granted just how much it offers.
“The benefits, I believe however do stretch further in terms of combating isolation, providing a support mechanism to those who need it and bringing like-minded people together.”
The Connecting Cumbria team is supporting the UK Government Project Gigabit contract awarded to Fibrus, who will be providing wholesale services on the publicly funded infrastructure under the brand Hyperfast GB to up to 60,000 properties across Cumbria by 2026.
They are monitoring and encouraging commercial delivery of gigabit broadband in Cumbria.
Based on currently announced plans and the Project Gigabit delivery, they anticipate that gigabit coverage in Cumbria could ‘exceed 99 per cent of properties by 2026.’
The team is also supporting communities to deliver voucher-funded projects to provide gigabit-capable broadband to areas where commercial coverage or Project Gigabit won’t reach and working with the UK Government to help develop policies for properties in ‘very rural areas’ that can struggle with the worst broadband speeds.
They are also monitoring and encouraging investment to improve 4G connectivity in Cumbria, including supporting the UK Government Shared Rural Network mobile infrastructure programme, which is seeking to deliver 95 per cent geographical 4G coverage in the UK from at least one mobile network operator by 2025 and 84 per cent from all four.
Finally, they are supporting investment into digital projects through the Borderlands Partnership, which has been established to ‘unlock the potential for sustainable and inclusive economic growth’ across the South of Scotland and the North of England.