Connecting Cumbria Newsletter November 2025
In this issue, we share the latest developments driving better connectivity across Cumbria and beyond. From the UK Government’s Project Gigabit continuing rollout of fixed line services to further work on improved mobile coverage through the Shared Rural Network, and exciting progress within the Borderlands 5G Innovation Region, there’s plenty happening to strengthen digital infrastructure in our communities.
We also cover important updates on the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) switch-off and provide guidance on social tariffs - affordable broadband options for those receiving certain benefits.
Plus, we hear from two local businesses about how enhanced connectivity is helping them thrive. We encourage residents and businesses alike to check their digital connection and make the most of the opportunities available, as highlighted in our latest press release.
Finally, with the festive season fast approaching, we’d love to hear how you’re using online connectivity to stay close to family and friends. Find out how you can be part of our Christmas campaign inside!
If you have any questions regarding online connectivity in your area, then please direct these to the team at info@connectingcumbria.org.uk.
Project Gigabit: Bringing Faster Broadband to Cumbria
The UK Government’s Project Gigabit programme is on a mission to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to 99% of UK properties by 2032. This ambitious goal combines commercial investment with public funding to ensure no community is left behind. Connecting Cumbria estimates that circa 97% of properties will be gigabit-capable in the county by 2027/28.
In Cumbria, the flagship publicly funded initiative is the regional Project Gigabit contract between Building Digital UK (BDUK) and supplier Fibrus, operating as Hyperfast GB. Their work will bring gigabit-capable broadband to up to 58,000 properties across the county, and the rollout is already making a real difference. Currently more than 24,000 properties are able to access services as a result of this programme.
Want to know if your property is included? Visit the Hyperfast GB website or follow their Facebook page for the latest updates. It’s the easiest way to stay informed and make sure you’re ready to enjoy the benefits of faster, more reliable broadband.
Commercial Broadband Rollouts: Great News for Cumbria
Did you know that many broadband providers are investing their own funds to bring faster internet to homes and businesses across Cumbria? These commercial deployments, which are separate from publicly funded projects, are a vital part of the UK Government’s ambition to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to 99% of UK properties by 2032.
Here in Cumbria, more than 200,000 properties are expected to benefit from several major commercial programmes, such as those of B4RN, Fibrus, Netomnia, Openreach VirginMediaO2 and others, already underway, with work continuing into the coming years. This growing competition in the broadband market is fantastic news for residents and businesses, promising better connectivity, more choice, and improved value.
As we head into a new year, there’s never been a better time to check what’s available in your area. The Ofcom broadband checker tool is a great place to start. With multiple networks now competing across Cumbria, you can find a package that fits your needs whether you’re working from home, streaming your favourite shows, or running a business.
Cumbria Hits Major Full Fibre Broadband Milestone
Thousands of people in Cumbria could be missing out on benefiting from better broadband services, Openreach has warned.
Almost 160,000 homes and businesses in the county can already upgrade to Full Fibre, but so far less than 40 per cent have made the switch.
Openreach has invested £48m in the new Full Fibre network for Cumbria, reaching around 55 per cent of properties. Engineers have recently been working in Whitehaven, Workington, Ambleside, Millom, Ulverston and Barrow in Furness, giving more homes access to better broadband.
Areas like Keswick, Kirkby Lonsdale and Windermere already have substantial Full Fibre networks, with the majority of properties able to upgrade.
Read the full story here.
BT Group and Starlink pave the way for High-Speed Home Broadband in the UK’s Hardest to Reach Places
BT Group and Starlink have announced a landmark agreement which will bring Starlink's reliable, high-speed, low-latency satellite connectivity to BT and EE consumer broadband customers, complementing BT Group's industry-leading fibre and mobile networks to ensure no community is left behind in the digital age.
The collaboration – a first in the UK and one of the first globally – will see BT Group offer ultrafast, low-latency satellite connectivity to customers in rural and remote areas where traditional fixed-line infrastructure is economically unviable or geographically challenging to build. This service is expected to be available in the latter half of 2026.
Read more here.
Mobile Connectivity
Mobile Network Operators and the UK Government are working together to dramatically improve mobile coverage across Cumbria through the UK Government Shared Rural Network mobile programme (SRN).
Since its launch in 2020, SRN has delivered coverage improvements across an additional 34,000 square kilometres, including many areas in Cumbria, ensuring service from all three major operators—EE, VMO2, and VodafoneThree. Work under this programme is expected to continue in Cumbria until at least the end of 2026 and include building of up to 21 shared mast structures on behalf of the Home Office to target areas which have no mobile coverage from any operator.
Want to check your current mobile coverage, including 5G availability? Use the Ofcom Mobile Availability Checker here.
First UK Phones to get Satellite Connectivity in Signal Blackspots Announced
VMO2 is set to become the first mobile network operator to offer UK customers automatic connectivity via satellite in places without phone signal.
O2 Satellite will be an optional service due to launch in the first half of 2026, following a partnership with satellite business Starlink to offer the service.
The firm has not yet revealed how much it will cost, but there will be an additional fee to pay each month.
Enabled smartphones will automatically switch to satellite coverage in parts of the UK where no terrestrial signal is available - such as rural areas - but those who sign up will not be able to make phone calls via satellite to begin with.
Read the full story here.
Borderlands 5G Innovation Region Programme - Bringing 5G to Life Across Our Venues
Significant progress has been made across all our venues as we transition from temporary masts to permanent structures, laying the foundations for a robust, future-ready network. As we move our use cases into full operation, we’re also focused on commercialising the network to ensure it becomes a self-sustaining asset for the region.
Recently, we welcomed the public and key stakeholders to Windermere for an open day showcasing how advanced wireless technology is already transforming everyday services. The event was a great success and marked a major milestone in our journey.
One highlight was demonstrating how our 5G network connects environmental sensors, cameras, and ferry systems to enable faster payments for ferry passengers as well as real-time monitoring of air and water quality through the Borderlands Shared Data Platform. The real story is how this enables better decision-making, improved operations, and enhanced services for residents, businesses, and visitors.
Find out more about the programme by visiting the Borderlands 5G Innovation Region webpage here and following us on LinkedIn here.
The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) Switch-Off
We know many of our readers have questions about the upcoming PSTN switch-off, so we’ll continue to share helpful resources in our newsletters over the coming months.
Over the next few years, the traditional PSTN which has delivered services over landlines for decades, is being phased out. This process is already underway, with many lines migrated to digital services. The PSTN is outdated, energy-inefficient, costly to maintain, and no longer fit for purpose.
Moving to digital networks will ensure home phone services remain reliable, modern, and future-ready. This transition is part of a nationwide upgrade to digital voice services. However, it is important for users to engage with their service provider during this transition as digital networks are not self-powered, you may need a battery back-up for services during power outages, and some devices will not work with the new service.
If you use assistive technology such as fall alarms or other telecare devices, it’s especially important to contact your service provider to understand how the switch-off may affect you.
For more detailed information, here are some helpful resources:
You Could Save on Broadband and Phone Costs
If you receive benefits such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit, you might qualify for a cheaper broadband or phone package. These discounted deals are called social tariffs, though some providers may refer to them as essential or basic tariffs.
Social tariffs work just like standard packages: the same service, but at a lower price. They’re designed to make staying connected more affordable for those who need it most.
What should you do? If you think you might be eligible, check with your provider to see what options they offer. It’s a quick step that could lead to big savings!
You can find out more about social tariffs here.
Another Door Opens
When change knocks on your door It can be overwhelming, confusing, frustrating and lonely.
With a passion for supporting others through the challenges that change can bring, Eleanor Tweddell, who runs her business ‘Another Door Opens’ from her home in the rural village of Hesket Newmarket, aims to turn these feelings around to those of optimism, curiosity, excitement and hope.
We caught up with Eleanor to find out more about what she does, and how improved connectivity in her area enables her to run this successful business while living in the area she loves.
Read the full story here.
The Bath House
Looking for natural, vegan and sustainable fragrances, skincare and bodycare, made beautifully by Cumbria based artisans, designed to be refilled, reused and recycled? Then look no further than The Bath House.
With stores in Bowness, Ambleside, Kirby Lonsdale, Knutsford, Ilkley, York and Keswick, we were really intrigued to find out how online connectivity is supporting the success of this business and all it does.
We talked to one of the founders and directors of The Bath House, Nigel Brooks, to find out more.
Read the full story here.
Join Our Connecting Cumbria Christmas Campaign!
This festive season, we’d love to hear from residents across Cumbria who use online connectivity to stay in touch with family and friends near and far. Maybe you do regular video chats with family members living abroad or maybe you are singing in a virtual choir or maybe you have just been learning how to use new types of messaging services with help from your local community group.
If you’d like to feature in our Christmas publicity pieces, we’d be delighted to share your story! Simply email us at info@connectingcumbria.org.uk, and a member of our team will be in touch.
Let’s celebrate how technology brings us closer together this Christmas!
Shout Out to Cumbria Based Businesses
We have had the pleasure of talking to a great array of businesses lately about the benefits of online connectivity in supporting what they do and look forward to sharing their stories with you over the coming months.
If your business is using fixed line or mobile connectivity to support what it does and you would be interested in becoming one of our future case study stories, benefiting from local and possible national publicity through our programme, then please contact the team at info@connectingcumbria.org.uk. We look forward to hearing from you.
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