UPD LonsdaleNET Bring 1Gbps FTTP Broadband to Melkinthorpe in Cumbria

Cumbria-based ISP LonsdaleNET in England, which last year launched a new superfast wireless broadband network in the Eden Valley and surrounding areas, claims to have deployed a new 1000Mbps capable fibre optic (FTTP) network to the tiny rural hamlet (civil parish) village of Melkinthorpe in the same region.

According to In-Cumbria, the new Fibre-to-the-Premise (FTTP) service is supported by funding from the Lonsdale Estate and runs from a dedicated fibre optic cable that links back to a hub in Manchester.

Rory Stewart, Penrith and the Borders MP, said:

“I was delighted to see the amazing LonsdaleNET project in Melkinthorpe. This is a local Cumbrian company proving it can achieve astonishing broadband speeds in a Cumbrian village. It will be a great option for many homes in Cumbria and I encourage anyone interested to explore this exciting possibility. Many congratulations to Craig and the LonsdaleNET team..”

Unfortunately the details are extremely sparse and the LonsdaleNET website makes no mention of the service, which is surprising as you’d think they’d want to shout from the rooftops about such a major development. Bringing FTTP into a small village is no mean feat.

UPDATE 11:23am

ISPreview.co.uk managed to get a press release from LonsdaleNET’s Technical Director, Craig Brass, with some extra bits of information.

John Robson, LonsdaleNET’s Business Development Director, said:

“Once again we are proud to be able to increase the speeds of communities like Melkinthorpe that are often unable to receive 1Mbps of service via other methods.

With modern demands of internet connections for catching up on your favourite TV shows using services such as iPlayer, good internet connectivity is becoming a requirement in our everyday lives. live and work in the area and it has opened up the possibility of operating from home in real time communication with my office.”

Apparently local resident Andy Jones, who is a Flying Instructor for Cumbria Microlight Training, managed to get the FTTP connection because the team was installing fibre past his property to reach the LonsdaleNET wireless mast at Whinfell. The wireless service has a footprint of more than 10,000 properties including Penrith, between Renwick, Stainton Morland and Long Marton.

According to Craig, LonsdaleNET’s more widely covered wireless service is available for a fixed £149.95 connection cost with the company planning to bring its fibre service to communities “where significant numbers of customers join its wireless service“.

The monthly costs for fibre and wireless services are the same at £19.95 for 10Mbps Speed / 10GB Monthly Download Allowance with Unlimited Evening and Weekend UK Landline Calls or £29.95 for as fast as your connection supports / 150GB Monthly Fair Usage and Unlimited Anytime UK Landline Calls.