Cumbria is in the midst of tackling persistent mobile connectivity challenges, a crucial undertaking given the reliance on digital communications in today’s world. In July 2023, a bold collaboration was initiated among Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness Councils, in conjunction with Oxfordshire County Council, with the aim of improving the region’s mobile services. This partnership is predicated on a £1 million investment sourced from the Connecting Cumbria Gainshare fund. The goal is to enhance mobile coverage in areas where signal strength is insufficient, thereby significantly boosting the accessibility and reliability of mobile services across the county. Specific areas defined as priorities for this initiative include Borrowdale and Great Asby, with the objective of addressing long-standing connectivity gaps.
Strategic Planning and Financial Commitment
Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness Councils’ commitment to addressing mobile coverage shortcomings underscores their recognition of connectivity as an essential service. Director Jonathan Harris of the Connecting Cumbria program articulated the current deficiencies in coverage, particularly along major routes such as the M6 motorway. He underscored the dual concerns of coverage and capacity, both crucial for effective digital communication. As the five-year strategy for mobile connectivity improvement draws to a close this year, discussions are underway to shape the next phase, slated to begin next year. Despite the availability of £10.7 million in gainshare funds earmarked for digital infrastructure, direct match-funding from private sector entities poses challenges, although commercial investment remains a potential avenue for exploration.
Councillor Andrew Jarvis from Westmorland & Furness Council further supported the initiative, emphasizing the need to comprehend the capacity constraints affecting both residential and business connectivity. Notably, even areas typically associated with robust connectivity, such as Windermere, experience inconsistent and unreliable data connections. To address this, discussions have been initiated to create a “heat map” that visually represents coverage gaps. Harris confirmed that this map will be developed, providing a clearer image that will aid in pinpointing specific areas in need of improvement. While Ofcom provides some data on coverage, limitations in comprehensiveness highlight the necessity for more granular insights to guide future interventions.
Addressing Coverage Gaps and Future-Proofing
The issue of mobile connectivity in Cumbria is compounded by the phase-out of older network services, such as 3G and 2G, which are expected to further exacerbate connectivity gaps. These developments highlight the urgency of improving 4G coverage, which remains limited or non-existent in certain areas. Futuristic planning is necessitated by anticipated disruptions to landline services, which are poised to diminish in capability by 2027 due to the termination of the Public Switch Telephone Network. This impending change accentuates the need for reliable mobile connectivity as a critical component for communication, especially in remote or rural areas lacking robust landline infrastructure.
Essential components of the collaboration with Oxfordshire County Council include the gathering of detailed data on mobile coverage sourced from measured performance data, Ofcom analysis, and crowdsourced insights. This data-conscious approach sets the stage for informed decision-making aligned with UK Subsidy Control regulations, aiming to enhance communications between Mobile Network Operators and government entities. Investigating various financial strategies and regulatory frameworks is crucial for creating a sustainable connectivity plan. Through intelligent advocacy and data-driven insights, Cumbria is positioning itself to implement a mobile connectivity framework designed to meet both current and future digital demands.
Collaborative Initiatives and Community Engagement
Collective efforts involving public sector stakeholders, commercial interests, and community participation represent a strategic pathway forward for enhancing digital infrastructure. The collaborative partnership with Oxfordshire County Council aims to leverage communal procurement processes that bolster advancements in mobile connectivity across Cumbria. At the heart of this initiative, unofficially called the Mobile Digital Twin program, lies the exploration of innovative methodologies for fortifying communication networks. Interventions are set to be guided by extensive data analysis, positioning Cumbria’s mobile connectivity landscape with a focus on addressing the unique needs of local communities.
This initiative offers promising avenues for reinforcing Cumbria’s digital foundation, fostering an environment conducive to commercial investment and technological advancements. Discussions are underway to identify pivotal areas for intervention, facilitating dialogues that garner both public and private sector support. By prioritizing targeted improvements in mobile connectivity, Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness Councils are paving the way for seamless communication integration, ensuring Cumbria is well-equipped to navigate the evolving digital era. Through strategic efforts, local communities are expected to witness substantial enhancements in connectivity, fostering growth and prosperity amid the shifting landscape of digital communications.
Moving Towards a Connected Future
Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness Councils are tackling mobile coverage issues, emphasizing that connectivity is vital. Jonathan Harris, director of the Connecting Cumbria program, pointed out gaps in coverage, especially along major routes like the M6. He highlighted the importance of both coverage and capacity for effective digital communication. As their five-year strategy concludes this year, discussions are underway to plan the next phase, starting next year. Despite having £10.7 million from gainshare funds aimed at digital infrastructure, matching funds from the private sector prove challenging, though commercial investment could be considered.
Councillor Andrew Jarvis from Westmorland & Furness Council supports the initiative, noting the need to understand capacity limits affecting both homes and businesses. Even areas known for strong connectivity, like Windermere, suffer from unstable connections. To tackle this, they are working on a “heat map” to identify coverage gaps. Harris affirmed its development, which will help target areas needing improvement. While Ofcom offers some coverage data, comprehensive insights are crucial for directing future interventions.
