With many agricultural businesses across Cumbria already benefiting from improved digital infrastructure and as access to faster, more reliable services continues to expand, the Connecting Cumbria team is encouraging everyone to check what broadband and mobile connectivity is now available in their area.
Thanks to significant investment in digital infrastructure across the county, around 96 per cent of homes and businesses in Cumbria can now access superfast broadband speeds of at least 30Mbps, with 74 per cent able to access gigabit-capable speeds
Mobile connectivity is also improving. Currently, almost 95 per cent of Cumbria’s landmass has outdoor 4G coverage from at least one provider, while 77 per cent is covered by all major UK networks.
Councillor Peter Thornton, Westmorland and Furness Council Cabinet Member for Highways and ICT and Champion for Digital Infrastructure, said: “Significant progress has been made in improving online connectivity in rural areas across Cumbria, it is amazing how far we have come since 2012 when less than 15 per cent of Cumbria properties could access a broadband service of at least 30Mbps.
“I am delighted that there is so much progress towards addressing challenges which have previously hampered opportunities within rural communities. Improved services allow for new opportunities as we see many of the agricultural businesses in our area adopting new ways of working and expanding through diversification projects which are reliant on them having a decent online connection
“We have come a long way; but we also know there is still work to do. The work the Connecting Cumbria team are doing is really making a difference and through the delivery of the Digital Infrastructure Strategy for Cumbria, we know there is more to come. I would urge all those in, and outside of the agricultural sector to check what services are available to them today. The benefits these services bring are really making a difference to those using them”.
Joseph Kidd of Briggle Farm, Langwathby, said: “This is the first year Briggle Farm will be opening up to the public giving them the opportunity to wander through vibrant flowers, handpick their own blooms, and carry home a piece of Cumbria’s beauty. Having a good online connection has definitely supported us in getting this project off the ground.
“The arrival of gigabit broadband speeds at Briggle Farm has been a real game changer in terms of what we can access, what we can offer and the benefits and efficiencies it has driven within all aspects of our business both public facing and behind the scenes
“There is perhaps a misconception out there that farms have been left behind in terms of online connectivity and that certainly isn’t the case. Connectivity options, whatever they may be, are available and can be of huge benefit to our businesses”.
Briggle Farm will open on weekends 10am-6pm from Saturday 2 August with local food vendors providing refreshments.
Cumberland Councillor Chris Southward, Executive Member for Digital Connectivity and Customer Focus and Digital Champion, said: “Improved internet connectivity in rural areas presents game changing opportunities to those living and working within the agricultural sector. Enhanced fixed line broadband and mobile services can transform agricultural practices allowing farms across Cumbria to maintain the same pace of development as their counterparts across the rest of the UK and further afield.
“With continued investment, the future of rural connectivity is extremely promising across the Cumberland area. As the picture continues to evolve, the agricultural sector stands to benefit significantly enabling growth, sustainability, more direct engagement with customers and more efficient working practices; immensely important when the sector is dealing with so many challenges.
“While I know our agricultural sector face a busy time over the summer months, but I would urge them, and those from other business sectors across our area, to check the connectivity options available to them and start to reap the benefits these improved services bring.”
Angus Hodgson of Midtown Farm Milkhouse, Caldbeck, said: “Dairy has always been a big part of life at Midtown Farm. In 2020 we decided to add an extra string to our bow and the Milkhouse opened its doors. Instead of buying milk from the shops customers can buy direct from the farm via vending machines which means zero food miles and a much more sustainable product
“Being online is really important to our business and having a faster, more reliable broadband service gave us the confidence to really focus on the online side of things. Enhanced connectivity, for us, has created many opportunities allowing our business to grow in the way it has”.
What’s next?
The Connecting Cumbria team continues to focus on improving digital infrastructure across the county by:
- Supporting the UK Government’s Project Gigabit contract with Fibrus, which is working to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to over 52,000 properties across Cumbria by 2027. Services will be available on this infrastructure under the brand Hyperfast GB.
- Monitoring and encouraging commercial gigabit broadband rollout. Based on current plans and the Project Gigabit rollout, gigabit coverage in Cumbria is expected to exceed 97 per cent of properties by 2028.
- Helping communities access voucher-funded projects to deliver gigabit broadband in hard-to-reach areas where commercial providers or Project Gigabit won’t reach. Connecting Cumbria also provides ‘top-up’ funding for properties with download speeds under 30Mbps.
- Shaping national policy on connectivity for ‘Very Hard To Reach’ properties - typically in remote rural areas that still struggle with slow speeds.
- Supporting improvements to 4G coverage, including working with the UK Government’s Shared Rural Network programme, which aims to deliver 95 per cent outdoor geographical 4G coverage from at least one provider by 2025, and 84 per cent from all four.
- Driving investment through the Borderlands Partnership, a cross-border initiative promoting sustainable economic growth across the South of Scotland and the North of England. This includes support for the Borderlands 5G Innovation Region, one of 10 regions across the UK to receive funding from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.