A recent survey from bOnline has shown that many SMEs are unsure about the availability of altnet in their area, with confusion over the UK’s broadband roll-out strategy.
More than 25,000 homes and businesses across Cumbria can access fibre through Openreach’s £10m investment with Cumbria County Council’s Connecting Cumbria programme.
Services are currently available in Arnside, Crosthwaite, Kendal, Dalton-in-Furness, Longtown and Milnthorpe and in the next 18 months tens of thousands more are set to follow in locations such as Barrow-in-Furness Carlisle, Cleator Moor, Dalston, Kirkby Lonsdale, Penrith, Shap, Ulverston and Walney.
Openreach plans to invest in fibre for most premises in 30 exchange areas across Cumbria including as part of the company’s plans to reach 25 million UK homes and businesses by 2026.
“Following our earlier work in partnership with Cumbria County Council, our commercial investment across Cumbria continues at pace,” said Robert Thorburn, Openreach’s Partnership Director for the north west.
“Research shows that this new network will give businesses an edge and give families and home-workers future-proof connectivity, no matter what life throws at us next.
“The value of fast broadband connections to businesses and homes in Cumbria cannot be overstated,” added Cllr David Southward, Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development.
“Tourism, the food retail industry, and many other small businesses need quick and reliable connections.”