B4RN is expecting an update from DCMS soon which will mean projects in parts of Cumbria and Northumberland can go ahead. It’s a fortnight since B4RN – backed by volunteers, our communities and local MPs – secured 11th hour changes to plans to pause voucher funding in those counties under Project Gigabit. The introduction of … [Read more…]
Crosthwaite Primary School has officially marked joining B4RN’s full fibre broadband network. Local volunteers, South Lakes MP Tim Farron and B4RN CEO Michael Lee all dropped in on Year 6 pupils (who were all busy online using their laptops!) on Wednesday morning. The school gets its 10Gbps service for no charge, joining dozens of other … [Read more…]
The first in-person Volunteer Coordinators’ Day for 18 months has been held at B4RN’s Melling HQ. Numbers were limited due to coronavirus, but volunteers from groups across our patch turned out on Saturday. They learned skills and shared best practice in planning, installing and running a fibre broadband network. Sessions were run on: Duct mapping; … [Read more…]
Caton’s gigabit full fibre broadband network has gone live! Villagers can now enjoy B4RN thanks to years of work by local volunteers and the more recent arrival of the ‘B4RN Village’ contractors. The local cabinet went ‘live’ on Friday morning, with the lights coming on connected customers’ routers. This is the culmination of four year’s … [Read more…]
Positive news in B4RN’s ‘Battle for Cumbria and Northumberland’. Following this week’s Parliamentary debate, the government has confirmed measures which will soften the blow of changes to gigabit voucher funding in those two regions under Project Gigabit. It will still be a number of weeks before we know what this means for projects across Cumbria … [Read more…]
A Westminster Hall debate took place in Parliament on Tuesday, to urge ministers to back down over proposals which would stop rural communities in Cumbria and Northumberland getting hyperfast B4RN broadband. It was led by South Lakes MP Tim Farron and can be viewed here. The rules around the Government’s Project Gigabit scheme mean that … [Read more…]
Halton has said “thanks” to volunteers who helped bring B4RN’s world-leading broadband to the village. Many people living there now have gigabit full fibre connections – and it wouldn’t have happened without local people giving their time over a number of years. The achievement was marked with a small celebration at Halton Community Centre on … [Read more…]
DCMS UPDATE 10.09.2021 – For Landlords only Those with a HOLIDAY LET or Vacant Property (Usually tenanted) ONLY You can only have more than 1 Get B4RN request – ONLY if the property is a Holiday Let or an empty property. We have just received notification (after a lot of requesting) for registrations for properties which are Holiday Let or Vacant Property. If you have already done so please do not do apply again. When … [Read more…]
B4RN has fully launched Connect+ across its gigabit full fibre broadband network. Connect+ is a new way for people to get connected to B4RN’s gigabit full fibre broadband without having to wait for their existing provider’s deal to end. If you’re stuck in a contract that has 12 months or less to run, you can … [Read more…]
B4RN welcomed the Digital Minister to Mallerstang as discussions continue over changes to the government’s gigabit voucher scheme in Cumbria and Northumberland, and how these changes will impact B4RNs build programme. Volunteers from those counties met Matt Warman to outline why that funding stream is so vital, with B4RN delivering full fibre gigabit broadband to … [Read more…]