A broadband provider has connected 100,000 homes and businesses to full fibre in Cumbria.
Fibrus reached the figure in Cumbria less than three years after beginning work in the region with connections delivered through both its commercial network and the government-backed Project Gigabit.
The company said the expanded rollout, which includes a recently awarded extension under Project Gigabit, will bring gigabit-capable broadband to an additional 21,000 premises and help ensure 99 per cent coverage across the county.
Among those who have already benefited are Sheila and Stephen, a couple living in the remote Kentmere Valley.
Sheila said: "We’d always been with [other network provider], and the line coming up the valley was a copper line through the trees.
"We had a lot of trouble with the phone line.
"A tree was knocking the line out and we had a lot of difficulties with communication."
Sheila said Fibrus secured the funding to bring fibre connections all the way to their part of the valley, and the impact has been life-changing.
She said: "We’re so grateful to Fibrus.
"It’s fabulous being so remote and yet having good internet."
Her husband Stephen highlighted how the improved connectivity has benefited the wider community, particularly the local village hall.
He said: "You couldn’t get a mobile signal, and you couldn’t get internet there.
"So Fibrus has now connected it and there's Wi-Fi available in the hall.
"It means we can use the internet while we're there.
"Now if you're doing a presentation, the fact that you can access the internet makes a huge difference, rather than having to put it on a disc or memory stick beforehand."
Stephen said the connection has made the hall more accessible for both residents and visitors, especially in emergencies.
He said: "It has enabled us to offer free Wi-Fi, which means that people can use their mobile phones if they’re near the village hall – walkers or people who’ve got in sort of trouble and need help, but would previously have had no signal."
The broadband rollout across Cumbria has been led by Viberoptix, the division of Fibrus responsible for the network build.
Conor Harrison, chairman of Viberoptix, said: "Our build teams have shown incredible determination throughout the rollout in Cumbria.
"This landscape is among the toughest we’ve faced, and I’m extremely proud of the resilience and efficiency they’ve demonstrated."
The company has laid more than three million metres of fibre, installing 150 kilometres of cable each month.
It is now aiming to reach more than 140,000 premises in Cumbria by the end of the financial year.
Mr Harrison said: "We’re proud to be supporting the rollout of the Project Gigabit contract, having successfully reached a key milestone in March by connecting 12,500 homes – on time and within budget.
"That number has since grown to over 17,500 connected premises."
He said the project is already "revolutionising digital connectivity across the county" and "making a meaningful difference in people’s lives."
Source: https://www.whitehavennews.co.uk/news/25384079.fibrus-broadband-milestone-100-000-homes-connected/
