Viberoptix, part of the Fibrus Group, has been named Infrastructure Builder of the Year for its work rolling out next-generation broadband to rural communities across Cumbria.
Since Fibrus expanded from Northern Ireland into Cumbria in 2021, Viberoptix has been laying fibre-optic cable and installing services across the county, bringing reliable, high-speed connectivity to some of the UK’s hardest-to-reach communities.
To date, more than 146,000 homes and businesses have been connected to the Full Fibre network.
Central to winning the award is the company’s role in supporting the delivery of the UK government’s £150 million Project Gigabit programme, which was awarded in November 2022 – where more than 37,000 premises have already been connected to the Full Fibre network.
Viberoptix’s innovative approach to network deployment in challenging landscapes was recognised by a panel of industry figures, including consultants, network operators and university experts, at the prestigious Connected Britain Awards held at the ExCeL conference centre in London.
Shane Haslem, Managing Director of Viberoptix and Fibrus Group Chief Operating Officer, said: “This award is well-deserved recognition for the entire team, both on the ground and behind the scenes, whose hard work and commitment continues to make project delivery a success.
“We’ve proven in Northern Ireland that we can deliver large-scale full fibre infrastructure projects, and now we’re demonstrating the same in Cumbria.
“Delivering a programme of this scale on time and on budget is no easy feat, particularly in a county with challenging terrain and protected landscapes.”
With much of the work taking place in the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Viberoptix engineers have worked to minimise environmental impact throughout the build.
Earlier this year, they provided cabling to the Coppermines Lakes Cottages at the Coniston Copper Mines site in the southern Lakes, within a conservation area designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to its volcanic geology, lichens and wildlife, including bats and reptiles.
Engineers used a track trencher machine which cuts a narrow trench, allowing ducting containing fibre optic cables to be installed with minimal disturbance.
Viberoptix employs a similar system when laying cable under narrow rural roads to reduce traffic disruption, while the trench is reinstated using an asphalt material that is 65 per cent sustainable.
This award is a testament to Viberoptix’s ability to deliver on time and on budget in challenging environments.
The team continue to take their learnings from Northern Ireland build and play their role towards delivering the infrastructure needed to ensure 99 per cent of homes and businesses can access next-generation broadband by the end of 2027, making the region one of the most connected counties in the UK.