The digital landscape in Shropshire is undergoing a transformation, with around 200 properties in the county’s remote areas now connected to gigabit-speed broadband. This development is the culmination of efforts by Kloud9, the UK Government, and Shropshire Council’s Connecting Shropshire programme, significantly supported by the government’s Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme.
For rural Shropshire, and particularly Ditton Priors, this initiative signifies a leap into a new digital era, providing both homes and businesses with access to incredibly fast Gigabit broadband, reshaping their internet experience.
Kloud9’s initiative, launched in August 2023, aimed to ensure that Ditton Priors was fully integrated into the modern broadband infrastructure, making Gigabit broadband an essential utility for the community.
Julie Bushell, Kloud9’s Community Engagement Manager, emphasised the project’s importance, stating, “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.”
A resident of Ditton Priors praised the project’s efficiency and the significant impact it had on local amenities like the village hall and Willows Café, noting improvements in operational efficiency and customer service due to the broadband upgrade.
He remarked, “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.”
This initiative is just one part of Kloud9’s broader mission to enhance digital connectivity in Shropshire and across the UK, with a pipeline of projects under the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme.
Alex Jackson, CEO of AJ Technology, expressed his team’s pride in their achievements and the joy of delivering the project in time for the Christmas season.
Following the successful implementation in Ditton Priors, Kloud9 has completed similar upgrades in Cleehill and Cressage and is planning further expansions in the region.
Cllr. Robert Macey of Shropshire Council highlighted the impact of the additional funding: “I’m really pleased that AJ Technology has benefitted from Shropshire Council top-up funding of DSIT’s Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme. This additional funding has enabled AJ Technology to work at pace to install their full-fibre broadband network in some of Shropshire’s more rural communities, bringing them into the digital fast lane.”
