Last Updated on: 7th April 2024, 03:33 pm
The journey towards digital inclusivity in Shropshire has taken a significant leap forward, with nearly 200 homes and business locations in the county’s more isolated regions now connected to gigabit broadband. This milestone achievement is the result of a joint initiative by Kloud9, the UK Government, and Shropshire Council’s Connecting Shropshire programme, heavily supported by the government’s Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme.
This program marks a pivotal moment for digital access in rural Shropshire, particularly for Ditton Priors, providing both households and businesses with the luxury of accessing high-speed Gigabit broadband.
Initiated by Kloud9 in August 2023, the project aimed to bring Ditton Priors up to speed with the latest in broadband infrastructure, making Gigabit broadband an essential utility for its residents.
“Gigabit broadband has become a necessity rather than a luxury. Rural villages like Ditton Priors are in real danger of being left in the broadband dark ages. It was a pleasure to work so closely with the community,” remarked Julie Bushell, Kloud9’s Community Engagement Manager, emphasizing the project’s critical nature.
A local resident lauded the project for its swift execution, which significantly upgraded the internet capabilities at the village hall and Willows Café, improving both operational efficiencies and the customer experience with reliable broadband connections.
He said, “The work Kloud9 did for the café has made a real difference. The broadband was so bad that the café staff used to struggle to take card payments. However, Kloud9 installed some free wireless access points, which also allowed customers to browse the internet while enjoying the great coffee and delicious cakes available at the café.”
Kloud9’s commitment to Ditton Priors is a testament to its broader mission of enhancing digital infrastructure across Shropshire and the UK, with a series of projects planned under the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme.
Reflecting on the initiative’s success, Alex Jackson, CEO of AJ Technology, shared his satisfaction with the project’s community engagement and its timely completion before the festive season.
Following the successful rollout in Ditton Priors, Kloud9 has undertaken similar projects in Cleehill and Cressage, with further developments planned in the region.
Cllr. Robert Macey, from Shropshire Council, praised the project’s funding strategy: “I’m really pleased that AJ Technology has benefitted from Shropshire Council top-up funding of DSIT’s Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme. This additional funding has enabled AJ Technology to work at pace to install their full-fibre broadband network in some of Shropshire’s more rural communities, bringing them into the digital fast lane.”
