Residents of Walney Island are now using high-speed broadband, thanks to a 'ground-breaking' system of wireless technology.

The technology, which offers speeds of up to one gigabit, was installed and connected in just eight weeks.

It uses existing lighting poles to carry the signal from point to point, and avoids digging up roads and blocking streets with road closures while installation work is taking place.

This network uses powerful millimetre-wave technology to provide reliable broadband.

The project was the result of a collaboration between rural broadband specialists Voneus and Cambium Networks, with support from Westmorland and Furness Council.

One of the first residents to benefit from the project was Colin Grosvenor, an IT engineer with the NHS, who said: "It’s important to me to have good broadband speeds in order to make sure I can do my work for the NHS from home.

"The speeds I was getting with my previous supplier were terribly slow, but with Voneus they are incredible."

Voneus' focus is on delivering ultrafast connectivity to remote communities typically missed out in broadband network plans.

Voneus chief executive officer, Christopher Traggio, said: "This has been an exciting week for Voneus customers on Walney Island, as the first customers get connected to the new gigabit speed network after just a few weeks of works."

Dan McCarthy, Cambium Networks UK, Ireland & Nordics regional sales manager, said: "Walney Island is experiencing the fastest rollout in terms of homes passed ever seen anywhere and it’s certainly going to be the largest cnWave network in Europe very, very soon.

"This deployment will eventually make ultrafast broadband available to more than 10,000 residents which will make it the largest cnWave deployment in the world.”

Morgan Kurk, Cambium Networks president and chief executive officer, said: "We are proud to partner with Voneus to improve connectivity for the residents of Walney Island."

Having worked closely with the community on Walney Island, Voneus has supported the North Scale Community Centre, Walney FC, Walney School and the Roundhouse Café. 

For details of prices for the service go to the Voneus website.