Tens of thousands more properties across Cumbria are to be upgraded to ultrafast full-fibre broadband.

Openreach today outlined its plans to expand full-fibre broadband to at least three million more homes and businesses — including around 100,000 in Cumbria — in some of the UK’s hardest-to-serve communities.

Appleby, Carlisle, Keswick, Longtown, Shap and Whitehaven are among the places in Cumbria that will benefit from the five-year development.

Openreach’s regional director for the North, Robert Thorburn, said: “Building a new ultrafast broadband network across the North West is a massive challenge and some parts of the region will inevitably require public funding.

“But our expanded build plan means taxpayer subsidies can be limited to only the hardest-to-connect homes and businesses.

“And with investments from other network builders, we’d hope to see that shrink further.

“This is a hugely complex, nationwide engineering project.

“It will help level-up the UK because the impact of full-fibre broadband stretches from increased economic prosperity and international competitiveness, to higher employment and environmental benefits.

“We’re also delighted to continue bucking the national trend by creating more jobs in the North West, with apprentices joining in their droves to start their careers as engineers.

“We’ll publish further location details and timescales on our website as the detailed surveys and planning are completed and the build progresses.

“In the meantime, don’t forget that you can also check what’s already available which includes the tens of thousands of homes and businesses across the North West that can already access full fibre.”

The company’s updated build plan is aimed at helping to the UK Government achieving its target of delivering ‘gigabit capable broadband’ to 85 per cent of UK by 2025.

It follows an extended investment commitment by its parent, BT Group – which means Openreach will now build full fibre technology to a total of 25 million premises, including more than six million in the hardest-to-serve parts of the country.

With download speeds of 1 Gbps, full-fibre broadband is up to 10 times faster than the average home broadband connection.

Dalston, Silloth, Maryport, Wigton, Cleator Moor, Cockermouth, Egremont, Ulverston will also be benefitting from the Full Fibre broadband roll out.