Faster broadband connections are available to thousands of residents and businesses in Cumbria and many already have a plan for what they will do when they can access better speeds.

A superfast broadband connection provides a faster and more reliable internet connection, enabling multiple users within a home or business to access the internet, download documents, music and video and stream high-definition television without buffering – things that may not be possible with a standard broadband connection.

Thanks to a combination of work delivered by the Connecting Cumbria programme, and works carried out by commercial providers, approximately 94 per cent of properties in Cumbria can currently access superfast broadband services above 30Mbps download. 

Many residents and businesses have chosen to upgrade their services, benefitting from superfast broadband but there are still many who could benefit from improved connections.

Cumbria County Council’s Connecting Cumbria programme is encouraging more people to take up their services to access faster broadband, helping to make people and businesses feel more connected, as well as benefitting the economy through a more reliable digital network.

Upgrading to superfast broadband is not automatic - customers need to contact their chosen service provider to upgrade to fibre-based broadband, and the council urges people to shop around for the best deal – or to contact the Connecting Cumbria programme team directly to find out what services and opportunities to improve connectivity are available in their local area.

Examples of the benefits, as well as information on how to access improved speeds through Connecting Cumbria, are available on the website: www.connectingcumbria.org.uk

The programme’s aim is to continue improving the services and opportunities available in Cumbria, as more people take up services to improve their connectivity, the greater the benefit to the whole county’s digital infrastructure.

Take up of infrastructure improvement services delivered through Connecting Cumbria also triggers a payback of funding to the council for reinvestment in further digital connectivity improvements.

So far, £2.5 million has already been reinvested in delivering superfast broadband services to rural and low-speed areas. 

The Connecting Cumbria team is developing proposals to use further funding to support delivery of futureproof gigabit-capable broadband in other low speed areas across the county.   

Councillor David Southward, the county council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: “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 quick and reliable connections so that instead of having to search endlessly for customers, the customers find them. 

"Connecting Cumbria has helped thousands of local people and businesses benefit from improved broadband speeds, and now we want to reach even more people and continue building a reliable and efficient network that benefits our local economy and helps people to stay connected.”

For more information visit: www.connectingcumbria.org.uk or email info@connectingcumbria.org.uk