Connecting Cumbria came into being in 2012 when Cumbria became the pilot for the Broadband Delivery UK Superfast Programme, working in partnership with BT and subsequently Openreach to deliver fibre broadband services across Cumbria. Connecting Cumbria has since evolved and is now the key driver for the county Digital Infrastructure Strategy, as it continues to drive all aspects of Digital Connectivity and ensure maximum coverage across Cumbria.
FAQ
What is Connecting Cumbria?
What are the different types of technology used to provide broadband?
Find out about the different methods of broadband provision here
How can I find out if the UK Government Project Gigabit programme will benefit my property?
This up to £108m gigabit-capable broadband scheme will improve connectivity across our county through targeting up to 60,000 properties that are not expected to be reached through commercial deployment programmes.
You can follow all the latest news and find out all the latest deployment information via the Hyperfast GB website where you are now able to check the status of your property using the check availability tab.
How do I find out more about commercial deployment of broadband provisions across Cumbria?
There is a strong commercial programme of works by a number of providers to further enhance connectivity across our region with these programmes expected to reach more than 200,000 properties.
Find out which companies are currently offering services in your area using the Ofcom broadband checker tool
Commercial plans and their deployment is an evolving picture which continues to be monitored across Cumbria. Much of the data is strictly regulated and heavily caveated as commercially sensitive. Part of the role of the Connecting Cumbria team is to monitor the delivery of commercial programmes to ensure that if a property is not reached through these deployments, that they are not left behind by the UK Government Project Gigabit programme or that a solution is still developed to meet their connectivity needs through some other means.
Can you tell me more about the 5G Innovation Region Programme?
The Borderlands 5G Innovation Region programme is working to deploy advanced wireless infrastructure to some of the UK’s most remote and beautiful tourist destinations with a goal of creating a platform for long-term growth. The programme aims to improve services for residents, strengthen the rural tourism economy, and deliver better connectivity where it’s needed most.
The first tranche of work associated with this programme is deploying private 5G networks, sensors and cutting-edge applications at the following locations:
- The Crook Inn, Destination Tweed
- Kielder Castle and Observatory
- Stranraer Marina and Loch Ryan
- Windermere Ferry
The programme is not about replacing consumer mobile services or competing with the existing mobile networks but rather about connecting together new innovative use cases and technology that will assist in things like environmental monitoring, operation of public services, capacity management, enhancement of visitor experience and improving public safety.
With a number of different elements of this programme in full swing, the network and temporary masts are now in place and the delivery team are continuing to work on the final stages of testing of the initial use cases to make sure everything works as intended before full launch.
You can find out more about this programme by visiting the Borderlands 5G Innovation Region programme web page here and following this programme on LinkedIn here.
The following information sources provide additional information on the programme and associated 5G technology:
Borderlands 5G Innovation Region - please click here
5G New Thinking - please click here
Digital Connectivity Infrastructure Accelerator 5G - please click here
UK TIN 5G Benefits and 5G Safety - please click here
Are there plans to improve the mobile connectivity in my area?
Work to improve mobile coverage continues through national programmes including the Emergency Services Network (ESN) and the Shared Rural Network (SRN).
These programmes are helping to enhance coverage in areas that have historically experienced limited or unreliable signal. Additional mast upgrades and improvements are expected throughout 2026, supporting both everyday connectivity and emergency response capabilities.
While overall coverage continues to improve, local conditions, terrain and network demand can still affect real‑world performance. Residents and businesses are encouraged to use the Ofcom Mobile Availability Checker (here) to understand current coverage levels in their area.
You can find out more about what Connecting Cumbria are doing to drive improvements in mobile connectivity across Cumbria here - Mobile infrastructure | Connecting Cumbria
What can you tell me about the move of landline phones to digital technology?
The technology that many people use to make landline phone calls is being upgraded over the next few years.
Landline phone calls have traditionally been delivered over a network known as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). This network is old and becoming harder and more expensive to maintain and therefore needs to be replaced.
Replacing the PSTN will ensure we continue to have reliable home phone services.
In order for this upgrade to be successful, there are a number of points which continue to be considered. The Which article on digital voice and the landline phone switch off provides some useful information on this.
What is a UPRN and how do I update for my property?
Unique Property Reference Numbers (UPRN) are the unique identifiers for every addressable location in Great Britain. You can find out more about UPRNs at Unique Property Reference Number | Power of UPRN | GeoPlace LLPand you can look up a property’s UPRN at https://www.findmyaddress.co.uk/search
Property information associated to a UPRN should be kept up to date via a range of processes but sometimes properties that are occupied can be misclassified as:
• Demolished
• Planning permission granted
• Under construction
• Unoccupied / Vacant / Derelict
If this has happened, then it can prevent that property being considered for the targeting of public funding through voucher schemes or other broadband improvement programmes.
If your property has been misclassified then please use the Errors and Omissions process which is managed by Ordnance Survey - https://osdatahub.os.uk/errorsAndOmissions – you will need to register for an Ordinance Survey login but this is a free process. Ordinance Survey will then pass your query to the appropriate Planning Authority who will investigate and update the UPRN data as appropriate.
If you wish to contact your planning authority directly with respect to your property’s UPRN then please use the following contacts and mark for the attention of the ‘Local Land & Property Gazetteer Custodian’:
Cumberland Council - Development.Control3@cumberland.gov.uk
Westmorland and Furness Council - NLPG@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Broadband and Wi-Fi in Village Halls and Community Buildings
Village halls and community buildings are increasingly looking to offer broadband and Wi-Fi access to their users to support a range of community activities and to enhance the facilities offered as a venue for hire. Connecting Cumbria have produced this short guide to support those seeking to improve digital connectivity in village halls and community buildings.
How can I learn more about the placing of telegraph poles supporting broadband deployment?
UK Government Cabinet Siting and Pole Siting Code of Practice can be found here. This voluntary code of practice has been developed by telecoms providers and interested parties in support of pole siting across the UK.
In addition to this, readers may be interested to read advice from UK Parliament on the rules around telegraph poles deployed as part of broadband networks - broadband companies and telegraph poles. This advice covers whether broadband companies need to consult with planning authorities and residents, and whether they should install cables underground or utilise existing infrastructure instead.
Any concerns regarding the workmanship of the placing of poles should be raised via:
Any issues in the Cumberland area should be reported via Report a problem with a street or road | Cumberland Council
Any issues in the Westmorland and Furness area should be reported to Streets, roads and pavements | Westmorland and Furness Council
Can you tell me more about social tariffs?
Social tariffs are cheaper broadband and phone packages for people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits. Some providers call them ‘essential’ or ‘basic’ broadband.
These tariffs are delivered in the same way as normal packages, just at a lower price.
You can find out more about social tariffs here.
My property isn’t currently expected to benefit from the UK Government Project Gigabit deployment and there are no known commercial plans happening in my area, where does that leave me?
Unfortunately, while almost every property in Cumbria without plans for delivery of gigabit services through commercially led deployment programmes are part of the UK Government Project Gigabit programme, not all eligible properties have been able to be incorporated into the contract between UK Government and their supplier Fibrus.
Connecting Cumbria is committed to the aim of ‘no one and no place in Cumbria is left behind’ in terms of online connectivity and we are currently working with UK Government and other partners to develop options for addressing properties in this situation.
Options currently available and being developed are:
- Working with your community and a supplier to develop a voucher-based project to expand gigabit services. You can find out more information on voucher-based projects here - Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme information - GOV.UK.
- Connecting Cumbria are in the process of developing a ‘Connecting Cumbria Very Hard To Reach programme’ which will have the potential to improve connectivity to rural properties that currently don’t have a planned solution..
- You might also consider investigating alternative technologies such as 4G home internet or satellite while waiting for further intervention options to be developed. Ofcom provide information on some of the options available via their website - https://www.ofcom.org.uk/internet-based-services/technology/emerging-technologies-shaping-future-of-communications.