The Connecting Cumbria team are encouraging businesses to check what broadband and mobile connectivity is available in their area, as access to faster, more reliable services continues to expand.
With many businesses across Cumbria already benefiting from improved digital infrastructure—boosting sales, improving efficiency, and better showcasing their products and services—there has never been a better time to explore what’s available in your location.
Thanks to significant investment in digital infrastructure across the county, more than 95% of homes and businesses in Cumbria can now access superfast broadband speeds of at least 30Mbps, with 62% able to access gigabit-capable speeds.
Mobile connectivity is also improving. Currently, over 91% of Cumbria’s landmass has outdoor 4G coverage from at least one provider, while 65% is covered by all four major UK networks.
Cumberland Councillor Chris Southward, Executive Member for Digital Connectivity and Customer Focus and Digital Champion, said:
“We have seen huge improvements to digital connectivity in recent years bringing a host of opportunities and benefits to businesses, residents and visitors across the Cumberland area.
“The statistics speak for themselves; I would encourage everyone to spend some time this Easter checking to see if they can improve the service to their premise. As the push continues to further improvements in our area, I really do believe we are shaping our digital future for generations to come.”
Keith Tattersall of Castle Chocolates, Carlisle, said:
“Castle Chocolates opened its doors in 2019 with the aim of providing high-quality chocolates, made fresh in store to the people of Carlisle and the surrounding fringes of the Lake District.
“As our business has grown, we now sell our products throughout the UK, which would not be possible without the power of our broadband service.
“Cumbria has some amazing businesses offering an array of amazing products; get online and show these off, you never know the benefits and growth this could bring.”
Councillor Peter Thornton, Westmorland and Furness Council Cabinet member for Highways and ICT and Champion for Digital Infrastructure, said:
“The progress made to date to improve online connectivity across the Westmorland and Furness area is outstanding, and result of years of dedicated lobbying to bring in investment, but we are not finished yet.
“We will continue to support both Government funded and commercial works to further advance services as we try to make sure that no one and no place is left behind.
“Many of our local businesses become busy over the Easter period whether those be in the tourism, agricultural or manufacturing sectors or providing services to our communities; improved connectivity can provide real benefits at this time, I really would encourage everyone to make time to check and see what services are available to them time and reap the benefits that improved services bring.”
Nigel Brooks one of the founders and directors of The Bath House, said:
“Online connectivity is key to so much of what we do at The Bath House. Almost everything touches it in some way whether that be our website and online shop, our social media pages, our newsletter, stock management, communication, project management, personnel, or the payment devices in store.
“Being ‘online’ has opened so many doors for our business, I honestly don’t know where we would have been without it”.
The push to improve connectivity continues across Cumbria with the Connecting Cumbria team focusing on:
Supporting the UK Government’s Project Gigabit contract with Fibrus, which will deliver gigabit-capable broadband to up to 60,000 properties across Cumbria by 2026. Services will be available on this infrastructure under the brand Hyperfast GB.
Monitoring and encouraging commercial gigabit broadband rollout. Based on current plans and the Project Gigabit rollout, gigabit coverage in Cumbria is expected to exceed 99% of properties by 2027.
Helping communities access voucher-funded projects to deliver gigabit broadband in hard-to-reach areas where commercial providers or Project Gigabit won’t reach. Connecting Cumbria also provides ‘top-up’ funding for properties with download speeds under 30Mbps.
Shaping national policy on connectivity for ‘Very Hard to Reach’ properties—typically in remote rural areas that still struggle with slow speeds.
Supporting improvements to 4G coverage, including working with the UK Government’s Shared Rural Network programme, which aims to deliver 95% geographical 4G coverage from at least one provider by 2025, and 84% from all four.
Driving investment through the Borderlands Partnership, a cross-border initiative promoting sustainable economic growth across South Scotland and the North of England. This includes support for the Borderlands 5G Innovation Region, one of ten regions across the UK to receive funding from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
If you have any questions about connectivity in your area, or want to find out what’s available to you, please contact: info@connectingcumbria.org.uk
