Cybermoor praised for rural fibre broadband work

Community fibre optic broadband project Cybermoor has been praised by Penrith and the Border MP Rory Stewart as it celebrates its tenth anniversary.

The initiative is looking for £100,000 of investment to complement the £300,000 it has already secured from the Rural Development Programme, as it attempts to boost coverage across the Alston Moor area of Cumbria.

Initially, the network will cover the most populous parts of Alston Moor, kicking off with the centre of Alston itself before being extended to more remote communities as additional funding becomes available.

Commenting on the scheme's achievements since it was established a decade ago, Mr Stewart said Cybermoor has set nationally recognised standards with its rural broadband work, reports Cumbria Crack.

"We want to attract investment for more - literally - groundbreaking advances, with a target of £100,000 of community pledges to purchase and dig fibre optic cable," he added.

Cybermoor was established in 2001 in response to the government's Wired Up Communities initiative, which was designed to boost internet access in disadvantaged areas.