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Connecting Cumbria
Connecting Cumbria Newsletter April 2024
Welcome to the April 2024 edition of the Connecting Cumbria newsletter.
This edition of the newsletter covers some of the latest frequently asked questions received by the team, provides an update on the Borderlands 5G Innovation Region Programme and takes a look at how two Cumbria based businesses are using improved connectivity to support what they do.
If you have any queries regarding connectivity in your area, then please forward these to the team at info@connectingcumbria.org.uk
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How can I find out if the UK Government Project Gigabit programme will benefit my property?
Project Gigabit
Project Gigabit delivery continues across Cumbria.
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.
In addition to the delivery of the UK Government Project Gigabit programme, Hyperfast GB has a commitment to minimise waste and to look after the environment while they build their network and are also supporting many community initiatives and events across Cumbria.
You can find out more about all that they are doing via their facebook page [
].
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How do I find out more about commercial deployment of broadband provisions across Cumbria?
Commercial Deployment
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.
We can assure readers however that 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.
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Are there any plans to improve the mobile connectivity in my area?
Mobile Connectivity
Mobile Network Operators and Government are working together to transform mobile coverage countywide through the UK Government Shared Rural Network mobile programme [
], which is seeking to deliver 95% geographical 4G coverage in the UK from at least one Mobile Network Operator by 2025.
The Connecting Cumbria team are committed to supporting this piece of work.
Keep up with all the latest developments on this here [
].
You can find out more about current mobile connectivity in your area using the Ofcom mobile availability checker here [
].
Rural towns and villages in the Lake District have become the first in England to benefit as government delivers on its plan to improve 4G mobile coverage in hard-to-reach areas. The first of 83 government-funded mast upgrades planned in England were switched this month near Keswick -
Government upgrade dials up 4G coverage in Lake District
- GOV.UK ( [
]
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I am worried about the move of landline phones to digital technology – how can I find out more?
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.
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Will I be affected by the switching off the UK’s 3G mobile networks
The UK’s mobile services currently use four different ‘generations’ of mobile technology: 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G. The 3G networks have been around since 2003 and are used to deliver calls, texts, and lower speed data services.
The mobile providers have decided to switch off their 3G networks, starting from early this year. This will affect customers on those networks using older mobile devices and services. If you have a 4G or 5G mobile device or service, this change is unlikely to affect you and may only require a software or settings update.
Find out more here [
].
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Borderlands 5G Innovation Region Programme Update
5GIR
Following the announcement [
] that The Borderlands has been named as one of ten 5G Innovation Regions by UK Government, representatives from each of the five local authorities in England and Scotland which make up The Borderlands Partnership (Cumberland Council, Dumfries and Galloway Council, Northumberland County Council, Scottish Borders Council and Westmorland and Furness Council) continue to work to develop further the plan of works for five initial sites across the Borderlands area. In Cumbria work will focus on the Windermere ferry with particular focus on supporting ferry operations, environmental monitoring and support for the Lake Wardens in the Ferry Nab area of the lake.
Since our last newsletter the programme has continued to progress the procurement process to appoint a lead supplier to the programme with the invitation to tender now released and a supplier expected to be appointed this summer.
5G is a critical emerging technology which will create a range of opportunities for business, leisure and tourism, transport, service delivery and safety.
We are continuing to look at opportunities across Cumbria to support further works to ensure that Cumbria is positioned to maximise the benefits from this technology for our businesses, residents and visitors.
Readers are directed to the below information sources to find out more:
*5G New Thinking – *please click _here [
]_*.*
*Digital Connectivity Infrastructure Accelerator 5G – *please click* **here**.* [
]
*Borderlands named as 5G Innovation Region by UK Government – *please click*here [
].*
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The Heather Glen
Heather Glen
One local business who is very much benefitting from the arrival of fibre in Ainstable village, is The Heather Glen Country House. "One of the most frequent requests we get from clients is access to Wi-Fi. Upgrading to fibre broadband has meant this is something we can offer at a fast and reliable speed."
Set in the heart of the Eden Valley, the Heather Glen Country House is a family run wedding venue and restaurant which also offers private functions and accommodation.
Find out more about how their connectivity supports what they do here [
].
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Midtown Milkhouse
Midtown Milkhouse
Situated in the heart of Caldbeck, Midtown Farm Milkhouse sells farm fresh milk, much-loved milkshakes, locally produced meat, cheese, butter and sweet treats, from their family run farm to the local community and surrounding areas.
Owner, Angus Hodgson, spoke to the Connecting Cumbria team about how the arrival of superfast broadband is helping them work faster and better as well as supporting their diversification of the farm.
Find out more here [
].
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Follow us on Social Media
Thumbs Up
You can now follow the team on social media for all the latest news and information regarding connectivity across Cumbria.
Facebook [
]
X (formerly Twitter) [
]
Any likes and shares are always appreciated.
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Shout out to Cumbria Based Businesses
Megaphone
Are you a business in either the Westmorland and Furness or Cumberland areas using fixed line or mobile connectivity to support what you do?
We are really keen to talk to you about this with a view to creating our next case study story.
If you would like to get involved, 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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