All subscribers receive a FTTH gigabit (1,000 Mbps) symmetrical connection,[1] with upload speeds matching downloads.
Founded by industry expert Barry Forde, management expert Monica Lee,[2] and farmer Chris Conder[3] (among others), Broadband for the Rural North Ltd was registered as a Community Benefit Society within the Industrial and Provident Societies Act on 15 August 2011.
Early B4RN projects were dug by hand with volunteers earning shares through digging trenches, carrying equipment, and even supporting by making tea.
B4RN’s model is to plan and build the network for the whole parish to ensure no one misses out, so long as they want the service and B4RN can get the relevant permissions.
B4RN and the volunteers will work with landowners and farmers to enable B4RN access to dig a trench and install the cables.
Landowners provide free wayleaves for installing the network across their land while B4RN does not pay rent for the regional cabinet.
Currently, government gigabit voucher funding is contributing significantly to the build cost, so the community only has to raise the shortfall.
Once there is sufficient demand, permissions in place, and funding secured, B4RN contractors supported by volunteers will start the installation.
As of January 2023, the B4RN network had spread to: - the Lune Valley (North Lancashire); - North Yorkshire and the Yorkshire Dales; - South Cumbria and the Lake District; - the Eden Valley (Cumbria) - the Allen Valleys (Northumberland) - South Norfolk - Cheshire The following places are either live on B4RN or planning or building the network:[7] Allen Valleys (Allendale Town, Catton, Spartylea, Whitfield); Arkholme; Abbeystead; Aughton; Barbon & Middleton; Bleasdale; Barrasford; Burton-in-Kendal; Burton-in-Lonsdale; Borwick & Priest Hutton; Burston & Shimpling; Capenhurst & Ledsham; Calder Vale; Cantsfield; Claughton; Chipping; Crook; Caton with Littledale; Cartmel Fell; Clapham; Capernwray; Crosthwaite; Casterton; Caton Village; Cautley; Cotterdale Dentdale; Dolphinholme; Dunsop Bridge; Firbank; Garsdale; Gressingham; Goosnargh; Grayrigg; Great Salkeld; Hornby-with-Farleton; High Bentham; Hincaster; Hutton Roof; Halton; Heversham; Ingleton; Kirkby Lonsdale; Keasden; Kirkoswald; Kirkwhelpington; Low Bentham; Lawkland, Eldroth, Wharf, Feizor & Austwick; Leck; Levens; Mallerstang; Melmerby & Gamblesby; Melling; Mungrisdale; Musgrave; Mansergh; New Hutton; Nether Kellet; Nether Wyresdale; Old Hutton; Over Kellet; Preton Patrick; Preston Richard; Quernmore; Roeburndale; Ravenstonedale; Rathmell & Wigglesworth; Sedbergh; Scole; Silverdale; Selside; Slaidburn; Stainmore; Stainton; Strickland Roger; Storth; Tatham; Tunstall; Tivetshall; Woodburn; Wennington; Whittington; Wray; Witherslack; Yealand Conyers; Yealand Redmayne.