This comes as GoFibre completes its UK Government-backed Project Gigabit rollout across the Teesdale region.

The project, which began in April 2023, saw the installation of more than 600km of fibre cable and involved complex engineering within multiple Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Upper Teesdale.

GoFibre representative visiting Jen Johnson, a local farmer in Teesdale and GoFibre’s most rural customer to date (Image: Chris Booth)

This marks GoFibre’s second major Project Gigabit project closure, following the completion of its North Northumberland build in August earlier this year.

These two are among the first Project Gigabit contracts to be successfully completed in the UK.

Project Gigabit is the UK Government’s initiative aimed at providing gigabit-capable broadband to hard-to-reach communities.

GoFibre, an independent broadband provider, was awarded two multi-million-pound contracts in autumn 2022 to improve broadband connections in Teesdale and North Northumberland.

As a result, around 8,100 premises, including 4,400 funded by the UK Government, in and around Barnard Castle, Mickleton, West Auckland, Middleton-in-Teesdale, and other remote villages and hamlets in Teesdale, can now access gigabit-capable connectivity.

This will transform how residents, businesses, and community organisations work, communicate, and grow.

Neil Conaghan, CEO of GoFibre, said: “For us at GoFibre, this isn’t just about faster broadband — it’s about making sure people in Teesdale have the same connectivity as people in bigger towns and cities.

“It means a family can stream without the screen freezing, a farmer can get the services they need online, and a small business can reach customers miles away.

“Full fibre really does open doors, and the amount of interest we’ve had shows just how much people here have been waiting for it.”

Throughout the rollout, GoFibre has brought ultrafast connectivity to more than 80 local businesses, ranging from small enterprises and tourism providers to farms and village halls, many of which are already seeing a tangible difference in how they operate and connect with customers.

Local farmer Jen Johnson, who is GoFibre’s most rural customer to date, said: “Out here, I’m ten miles from the nearest pint of milk.

“Before GoFibre, I’d have to drive to a layby several miles away just to get enough signal to do business calls or send invoices from my phone.

“Now, with full fibre, I can sort paperwork, video chat suppliers and even check market prices without leaving the kitchen.

“It’s turned what used to be half a day’s job into a few minutes and that’s priceless when you’ve got livestock to look after.”

Telecoms minister Liz Lloyd said: “Fast, reliable broadband connects people, helps businesses thrive and creates new opportunities.

“Through Project Gigabit we’re improving infrastructure across every corner of the UK, ensuring rural communities don’t get left behind in the digital age.”

“Connecting these hard-to-reach communities to future-proofed broadband is a huge milestone for Teesdale and exactly the kind of progress we need to kickstart the economy and renew our country.”

Councillor Stephen Gray, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for transformation, efficiency, digital and procurement, said: “The completion of these works marks a major milestone in our ambition to ensure our communities in all corners of the county, from countryside to coast, are connected.

“The installation of full fibre broadband in Teesdale has already made a significant difference to residents, businesses and farmers in the area, allowing those in even the most remote places to have the same internet speed as central towns and villages.

“We are pleased to have worked in partnership with GoFibre to deliver this scheme and can already see the benefits this project has brought and will continue to bring.”

GoFibre’s commitment to the Teesdale community extends beyond providing broadband.

Earlier this year, the local broadband provider launched its GoFurther Fund in the region, awarding five local charities a share of almost £15,000 to assist them in continuing their vital work.

Eight community organisations, including UTASS in Middleton-in-Teesdale, received free broadband connections, facilitating their efforts to serve those who rely on them the most.