Couple left in slow internet limbo

A couple say they are not getting a fast internet connection being offered to people in their village because they live beside a railway line.

Government-appointed contractor Fibrus will not connect a cable across the line to Iona and Ricardo Giagnoni's home in Crosby, Cumbria, and they are not eligible for help with a satellite connection.

The government said it is reviewing the situation with Fibrus, but which properties to connect is ultimately a decision for the suppliers.

Fibrus said the property was "not currently within the scope" of the project to provide high-quality broadband to the village.

Ms Giagnoni said: "We were very excited that fibre [broadband] was being fitted in our village and then very disappointed because they would not come to our property because it was too hard to reach."

She said she and her husband were told they could apply for a voucher to get a satellite dish, but found they were not eligible because broadband was being installed in their postcode.

Mr Giagnoni, who runs his company from home, said: "If it rains the internet is bad, if it is windy the internet is bad.

"It is very frustrating."

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said there was "no government scheme currently in place to subsidise satellite broadband connections".

Trials were being conducted in "very hard to reach areas" to determine future policy, a spokesperson said.

The work in the village is part of the government's Project Gigabit contract which aims to provide about 60,000 properties in Cumbria with access to fast broadband.

Fibrus said the project operated in certain locations, including some parts of Cumbria, to "ensure that underserved and rural communities receive the necessary infrastructure for high-speed connectivity".

A spokesperson said: "The premises in question is not currently within the scope of the project, however we continually work with the government to assess the viability of including additional premises in the Project Gigabit contract."

The government said if the supplier could demonstrate the connection could be made within cost limits at this property, further subsidy would be provided to deliver the upgrades.

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