Colton Superfast Broadband Why it's important and how we can get it......Mike Postle (mike@mpo1.uk)

The contract for connecting Cumbria with super fast fibre connections has been awarded to Belfast based Fibrus with the first connections expected in the Spring. Fibrus will have a base and training academy at the Newton Rigg site creating at least 90 apprentice roles for the job in Cumbria. It's not clear yet exactly which areas in Cumbria will be connected as part of this deal but (says he sticking his neck out) I would be surprised if the not spots around Rusland aren't part of the deal.

There is a fall back position for those not covered by the Fibrus contract in that the Government has announced a significant increase in funding for the community based voucher scheme. The £1500 (residential) and £3500 (business) grants are now being replaced by a more generous £4500 grant for both residential and business premises. These figures are likely to be added to from the pot of money which the County Council has earmarked.

For highly remote locations, such as Wasdale, a trial of modern low Earth orbit satellite broadband is going to be conducted. 

We're still waiting the detail of where the exact scope of the Fibrus contact: I'll obviously provide updates as soon as I know - likely end of January. Meanwhile you can find details of the announcement on https://www.gov.uk/government/news/major-broadband-rollout-for-cumbria-begins-as-part-of-100-million-plan-to-connect-thousands-of-rural-premises