In an exciting collaboration, Kloud9, the UK government, and Shropshire Council’s Connecting Shropshire programme have joined forces to bring lightning-fast gigabit broadband to nearly 200 homes and businesses nestled in the remote corners of Shropshire. This new milestone was achieved through the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme, (a government lead scheme to help ISP’s bring full fibre to rural locations).
This marks a monumental leap forward in digital connectivity for rural Shropshire, particularly for the quaint village of Ditton Priors and this isn’t the first time Klou9 has taken its vans and cables to “hard to reach” locations”.
In August 2023 Kloud9 embarked on this complicated build, driven by a deep-seated commitment to ensuring that every member of the community could reap the benefits of cutting-edge broadband infrastructure. With the project now complete, residents and businesses in Ditton Priors are over the moon with their new Gigabit broadband! Many homes could only receive technologies such as ADSL2+ (the slowest of all broadband technologies), so this upgrade is a complete game-changer!
Julie Bushell, Kloud9’s Community Engagement Manager, spoke passionately about the significance of Gigabit broadband in today’s interconnected world with the following statement: “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,”
One resident of Ditton Priors shared a heartwarming anecdote about the local café, where unreliable internet had previously posed challenges. Thanks to Kloud9’s intervention, the café now boasts reliable card payment facilities and complimentary Wi-Fi for patrons, elevating the overall experience for visitors and locals alike. He added, “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 advancing digital connectivity extends far beyond Ditton Priors, with numerous projects underway across Shropshire and beyond. As they continue to harness the power of the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme, Kloud9 remains steadfast in its mission to bridge the digital gap and empower communities through seamless connectivity.
