Welcome to the Spring 2024 edition of our Hyperfast GB Newsletter where you will find the latest updates on our full fibre rollout plans to rural Cumbria through Project Gigabit.

The UK government’s investment is revolutionising connectivity in rural areas by extending gigabit-capable full fibre broadband infrastructure to homes and businesses which don’t have access to meaningful broadband services.

We are delighted with the progress of work throughout rural Cumbria though the UK government’s Project Gigabit.

See Hyperfast GB – Connecting Rural Communities for more information.

Community meetings overview

Photo 1: Gilsland Community Meeting with Guy Opperman MP
Photo 2: Warwick Bridge Community Meeting

We have recently held community meetings in Warwick Bridge and Gilsland to let residents know more about the Hyperfast GB project and what they can expect as new infrastructure is installed in their area, as well as how they will benefit from a full-fibre service to their homes.

The meetings involve a presentation about the project and then an open question and answer session. We use some of these questions to populate our FAQs page.

Hyperfast GB postcode checker

Photo: Hyperfast GB Postcode Checker

We now have a postcode checker live on the Hyperfast GB website, this means that residents can check if their address is included in the Hyperfast GB project. Those with further questions can then use our enquiry form to reach us directly.

Looking after the environment

Photo: Plug planting with Cumbria Wildlife Trust in Kendal

Hyperfast GB is working alongside Cumbria Wildlife Trust to improve the environment for wildlife across Cumbria. We’re planting pollinators for food and trees for habitat, shelter, and shade. We’re also training all our staff and those of our suppliers in carbon literacy with Cumbria Action for Sustainability. We have an ambition to use electric vehicles in our fleet wherever possible and have already reached our year one target of 30% electric vehicles.

Work experience and under-graduate placements

In 2024 we will be offering opportunities for places on a one-week work experience programme for 16 – 18-year-olds, based at our centre at Newton Rigg near Penrith. We are also keen to hear from any undergraduate students who are looking for a work placement over the summer. We’re specifically keen to hear from students with an interest in business administration and / or project management. Please contact us directly via email on enquire@hyperfastgb.com if you know of anybody who might benefit from either of these opportunities.

Hyperfast GB merchandise

Photo: Hyperfast GB Merchandise 2024

In delivering the Hyperfast GB project we are committed to sustainable solutions and reducing our impact on the planet wherever possible. Over the winter we have reviewed the green credentials of the merchandise we have been giving away at shows and events and felt we could do better. We’ve been working with our supplier to improve the sustainability of our products and are looking forward to sharing some new goodies with residents over the summer.

Project updates

We are continuing to make progress and you will see us working in several areas including Gilsland, Flookburgh and Great Broughton over the coming months. The short days and less favourable weather that we encounter over the winter months does of course impact the speed and agility of our deployment and we are looking forward to the increase in deployment that the arrival of spring will herald.

Stakeholder engagement

Photo: RSPB Geltsdale

Cumbria boasts vast swathes of highly protected landscape and we’re keen to keep it that way; preserving heritage and the environment as we install new infrastructure to enable residents to enjoy modern communications in their homes and businesses. This means that we work hard on early engagement with stakeholders and land managers to understand the opportunities and challenges of their environment. Earlier this year we were pleased to meet with the new site manager at RSPB Geltsdale to understand how our proposals to deliver full-fibre to properties on the reserve could potentially impact on the special qualities of the landscape and discuss solutions to mitigate that impact.

Community project sponsorship

Photo: Plumpton School Tables

Hyperfast GB has a small grant fund to support community projects and events in areas where we are building our network. Throughout 2023 we have been proud to support Plumpton School in the purchase of new tables for their dining hall, 1st Hensingham Scouts, Branthwaite Scouts, 2nd Seascale Scouts, (purchasing activity equipment) Great Corby Village Hall, Little Clifton Village Hall, Flookburgh Village Hall (refurbishment projects) and Oxenholme Pony Club Gymkhana sponsorship.

List of shows attending 2024

Photo: Hyperfast GB at Westmorland County Show 2023

Cumberland Show – Sat 8th June, Warwick on Eden https://www.cumberlandshow.co.uk/

Cockermouth Show – Sat 3rd August, Low Road, Cockermouth https://cockermouthshow.co.uk/

Gilsland Show – Sunday 4th August, Gilsland

Westmorland County Show – 11th & 12th Sept, Crooklands

Skelton Show – Saturday 6th July, Hutton in the Forrest