Northern Ireland-based broadband provider Fibrus has announced an extension to its UK government-funded Project Gigabit contract in Cumbria, meaning more homes and businesses in the region will gain access to high-speed internet.

Fibrus was initially awarded the contract in November 2022, with the aim of connecting 32,000 premises, along with potential additional connections. The extension announced today will see Fibrus bring its full-fibre broadband to an extra 21,000 properties that were previously not included in rollout plans. The company anticipates that once this expanded project is completed alongside its existing commercial plans, approximately 99% of homes and businesses in Cumbria will have access to next-generation broadband.

Project Gigabit in Cumbria is already underway, with connections established in villages such as Workington, Aspatria, Kendal, and Penrith. This new agreement will extend the reach of fast and reliable broadband to more remote communities including Leece, Threlkeld, Abbeytown, and Slack Head.

This development follows the significant progress of Fibrus's Project Stratum in Northern Ireland, a separate government-funded initiative. Project Stratum is reported to be around 98% complete and is on track to finish in June 2025, within the allocated budget.

-- Advertisement --

Fibrus has rapidly established a strong reputation in the areas it serves, attributed to its high-quality service and customer support. The company reports strong customer uptake in both its subsidised and commercial areas, with overall penetration expected to exceed 27% by the end of March 2025, and over 34% in its subsidised regions, with earlier connection areas exceeding 50%.

The increasing customer base, coupled with steady growth in Average Revenue Per User (ARPU), means Fibrus expects to achieve EBITDA profitability in the coming financial year. The company’s annualised recurring revenues reached over £32 million in February 2025 and continue to grow.

Dominic Kearns, Chief Executive Officer at Fibrus, expressed his pride in the company's impact on digital infrastructure in Northern Ireland and Cumbria. He stated: "I am proud of the transformational impact we have had on digital infrastructure in NI and Cumbria. We have been delivering Full Fibre broadband to some of the most challenging geographies and rural areas, ensuring no one gets left behind by the digital divide."

He also commended the expertise of Fibrus's internal build team and partners in delivering rural connectivity through Project Stratum and now Project Gigabit Cumbria. "Lightning fast, reliable, Full Fibre broadband at affordable prices is what our customers need, and we’re pleased to be the number one provider in our connectable footprint, having connected our 100,000th customer in November last year," Mr Kearns added. He described the contract extension as "a testament to the moves we have made so far, and we’re only just getting started."

Telecoms Minister Sir Chris Bryant commented on the announcement: "Better broadband will not only enhance the quality of life for tens of thousands of homes and businesses across rural Cumbria, but it will also help us put an end to disparities between urban and rural areas." He highlighted the government's commitment to digital inclusion and praised the contract extension as an example of how government-backed initiatives can ensure rural areas are not left behind in the digital age.