Double Award Win For B4RN At Connected Britain

October 13th, 2022
Author: Mark Gray
Posted In: Latest news

Chief Operating Officer, Tom Rigg, and CEO, Michael Lee accepted the awards at the Connected Britain conference in London.

An incredible result for B4RN at the UK’s No1 Connectivity Event – Connected Britain Awards. The Connected Britain Awards recognise the most significant and innovative organisations, solutions and programmes that are shaping Britain’s digital future.

B4RN has been named as ‘Broadband Provider of the Year’ and then also awarded the ‘Community Improvement Award’.

We had serious competition from a number of privately funded alternative national fibre broadband networks.

B4RN has come out on top and reinforces our position as the best in the UK.

B4RN is a Community Benefit Society and is built “by the community for the community”.

Michael Lee CEO said: “It’s a significant moment for B4RN to be recognised as the UK’s ‘Broadband provider of the Year’. For the last ten years we have worked shoulder to shoulder with rural communities to bring some of the best internet service in the country to some of the hardest to reach places. This award, alongside the ‘Community Improvement Award’ are testament to the real impact we are now having on these rural communities, and the improvements we are bringing to day to day rural life.

“This achievement was only possible thanks to the hard work, grit and determination of our amazing communities, volunteers, staff, contractors and landowners, and the fantastic working relationships we hold with local and national government. Everyone who has supported B4RN over the years should be immensely proud that if you’re looking for the best broadband in the country, you’ll find it in rural Norfolk, and you’ll find it across the rural North.”

Volunteer and Media Manager at B4RN, Jorj Haston, said: “It’s fantastic to be part of such a brilliant organisation helping communities bring fibre broadband to their rural areas. B4RN really couldn’t do it without the volunteers, who’ve given their time, expertise, hard work, sweat and tea and cake. Team B4RN all the way!”

All of the organisations that entered were assessed by a large panel of 28 judges, which included key figures from Total Telecom, the UK Government, analyst firms, consultants, universities and various other companies or organisations with industry links.

Judges Comments for ‘Broadband Provider of the Year’

“The winner in this category has always had a commitment to ‘leave no-one behind’ and deliver quality service in challenging rural areas through community engagement. 10 years after connecting their first customers, this company looks sustainable – and now even scalable.

“One judge called this company ‘a leading light in the fibre industry’, with their entry showing great evidence of excellent customer service, innovative packages, and effective local partnerships below Council level.”

Judges Comments for the ‘Community Improvement Award’

“The Connected Britain judges were full of compliments for this company’s entry, with one describing it as ‘a legendary scheme that shows how to engage communities through volunteering to build out a future-proofed network.’

“This company is famed for helping rural communities to take connectivity matters into their own hands.”

Meanwhile, B4RN has also been shortlisted once again for ‘Best Rural ISP’ at the upcoming ISPA Awards. B4RN are looking to claim the award again, for the second year running. The winners are announced in November. With the army of #teamb4rn behind us, how can we lose?

Please also vote for us for the ‘Internet Hero’ Award at the ISPAs (details immediately below). B4RN previously won this back in 2012.

How to enter ISPAs ‘Internet Hero’ Award

To submit your nominations for either the Internet Hero or Villain please submit the name of the individual/ organisation to awards@ispa.org.uk, or on social media using the hashtag #internethero or #internetvillain with a short paragraph regarding your reason for the nomination.

The deadline for submissions is the 28^th October 2022, after which the ISPA council will review the list of nominations and select a winner to be crowned at the gala ceremony at the Landmark Hotel, 24^th November 2022.

Receiving the ‘Broadband Provider of the Year’ Award

Receiving the ‘Community Improvement Award’

All Articles

Gavin And Belinda Second Nature Smallban

Stories from out in the field from our very happy customers

One residential customer in Over Kellet used to know whether it was worth firing up her computer by looking out of her front window to see what the weather was doing with her telephone line.