The village of Ditton Priors in Shropshire is now experiencing ‘unprecedented’ internet speeds thanks to a collaborative effort between a company, the council, and the government. Kloud9, a broadband provider, spearheaded the project in August 2023 to ensure that the community was not left behind in terms of advanced broadband infrastructure.
Julie Bushell, Kloud9’s Community Engagement Manager, emphasized the importance of gigabit broadband in today’s world, stating that it has become a necessity rather than a luxury. She highlighted the risk that rural villages like Ditton Priors face of being left in the “broadband dark ages” and expressed her pleasure in working closely with the community to bring about this change.
The project in Ditton Priors was made possible through the UK Government’s Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme, which aims to connect businesses and residents in hard-to-reach areas to gigabit-capable broadband. In addition to improving residential and business connections, Kloud9 also enhanced the village hall and Willows Café with gigabit broadband, enhancing operational efficiency and customer experience.
Kloud9’s efforts in Ditton Priors are part of a larger commitment to advancing digital connectivity in Shropshire and beyond. The company has completed similar projects in Cleehill and Cressage and has four more builds in the pipeline. Eligible homes and businesses can now apply for up to £4,500 to cover the costs of a gigabit-capable connection, enabling broadband providers to reach further into rural areas where build costs are higher.
With the success of the project in Ditton Priors, Kloud9 is excited to continue its work under the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme, bringing high-speed internet to more communities in need. Residents and businesses in the village can now enjoy reliable internet access and improved connectivity, thanks to this groundbreaking initiative.