Northumberland businesses secure connectivity boost as second lockdown begins

Businesses and homes across Northumberland are set for strengthened connectivity during the second national coronavirus lockdown thanks to new broadband.

Work has completed on the installation of new gigabit-capable broadband in Northumberland by North East company Alncom, which is expected to support broadband capability for over 200 businesses and homes.

Rural broadband specialist Alncom, which is based in Alnwick, laid over 10 kilometres of fibre cable with large mole machinery, bringing speeds capable of around 1 gigabit or 1000 megabits to houses and businesses on the route.

The scheme has been funded through a combination of the Government’s Rural Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme and Northumberland Council’s Borderlands Top Up Scheme, with the shortfall covered by Alncom.

Alncom managing director Stephen Pinchen commented: “the timing is more important than ever as we enter the second lockdown.

“We have connected a full fibre network to some of the most rural properties in Northumberland, that previously have only had extremely slow copper wire connections.

“We’ve negotiated road and river crossings, barely leaving a mark on the land, that will transform these businesses and homes and especially for those now working from home.”

Alncom business development manager John Parker added: “When we say rural, we really mean rural. Where other companies have given up, we accept every challenge which can literally mean jumping on to quad bikes or using drones to survey an area from every angle.

“We can be found climbing the steepest hills and working our way into really inaccessible areas. Being privately owned, we know many of the people we are helping, so where others fail, we go the extra mile to help get them connected.”