Ditton Priors and surrounding Shropshire locales have entered the gigabit broadband era, with nearly 200 homes and business establishments now enjoying ultra-fast internet speeds. This advancement is a collaborative achievement involving Kloud9, the UK Government, and Shropshire Council’s Connecting Shropshire programme, bolstered by the government’s Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme.
The introduction of Gigabit broadband in rural Shropshire, particularly Ditton Priors, signifies a transformative step towards enhanced digital connectivity, offering both residential and commercial users unprecedented internet speeds.
Initiated by Kloud9 in August 2023, this project was aimed at incorporating Ditton Priors into the evolving digital infrastructure landscape, recognizing Gigabit broadband as an essential service for the community.
“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,” highlighted Julie Bushell, Kloud9’s Community Engagement Manager, on the critical nature of the project.
A local shared their appreciation for the rapid and effective execution of the project, which significantly improved the functionality of community hubs like the village hall and Willows Café, enhancing customer service and operational efficiency through better broadband connectivity.
He noted, “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.”
Kloud9’s work in Ditton Priors is a part of a larger initiative to improve digital connectivity throughout Shropshire and the broader UK, with several upcoming projects under the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme.
Reflecting on the successful completion of the project, Alex Jackson, CEO of AJ Technology, shared his satisfaction with the team’s work and the positive impact on the community, especially in delivering the network before Christmas.
Following the Ditton Priors project, Kloud9 has also made advancements in Cleehill and Cressage and is planning further projects in the area.
Cllr. Robert Macey from Shropshire Council expressed his satisfaction with the project’s funding and its impact: “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.”
