Daniel Heery: Next generation broadband

Our work to look at upgrading the Cybermoor broadband network has really started to pay off over the summer.

A customer survey carried out at the beginning of the year confirmed that at the top of customers' 'Wish List' was better speed and reliability from their broadband service.

Planning has been going on over the past year by the Cybermoor Board of Directors and team to increase the speed of services. Initially wireless services will be upgraded to offer faster speeds and this will be launched in the Autumn. The new system is currently on trial in Alston, Garrigill and Slaggyford and more details are at www.cybermoor.coop .

A feasibility study is also underway to offer fibre optic cable connections to customers. This will offer higher speeds plus TV and phone.

We want Alston to have the best connections in the country and be the first market town to have fibre optic cable. If we can bring this off it will be a real shot in the arm for Alston Moor.

The upgrade was recently cited in a report on upgrading the country's broadband, carried out for the government department BERR.

Although large telecoms companies are experimenting with fibre in larger cities, rural areas will be left in the cold unless they do it themselves. See BBC News for more information.  OFCOM thinks rural areas could be first for these services. 

Listen to coverage of Cybermoor's plans on Radio 4's iPM and on Radio Cumbria.