A DIGITAL revolution for Cumbria has been given a massive boost, as £2.5m is ploughed into rolling out high-speed broadband to more and more homes.

With an average of 3,900 of the county’s homes and businesses being given access to the service every month, a new online map has been launched to show where and when the rollout will arrive next.

Connecting Cumbria, a partnership between Cumbria County Council and BT, has reached more than 90,000 premises so far. It has today released details of the latest rural and remote parts of the county, including Kirkby, reached by the network.

BT, confident that at least 30 per cent of people will take the service, has paid the £2.5m investment early so more people can join the digital upgrade.  

David Southward, Cumbria County Council cabinet member for economic development, said: “The roll out of superfast broadband across Cumbria literally connects the county to the world and brings us many social and economic benefits. It allows businesses to trade nationally and internationally, people to study, work and learn new skills from the comfort of home, and allows us to keep in touch with friends and relatives at the click of a button. 

“Our county council-led Connecting Cumbria project to build a fibre network around the county is ahead of schedule.”

Mike Blackburn, BT North West regional director, added: “This first phase, totalling a £51 million investment, has so far seen two thirds of connections deliver more than 50Mbps and many are capable of speeds up to 80Mbps. 

“Combined with the work of the commercial deployment programme, this means that more than 75 per cent of Cumbria now has access to superfast speeds connecting Cumbrians to opportunities for work, services and education globally.”