Community broadband firm near Lancaster wins awards double at national industry event

Broadband for the Rural North (B4RN) won ‘Best Community Project’ for the second year running, as well as the ‘Outstanding Contribution’ award.

This is further UK-wide recognition for B4RN, which operates in Lancashire, North Yorkshire, Cumbria, Northumberland and Norfolk.

The Melling-based Community Benefit Society – which works closely with volunteers – is bringing full fibre gigabit (1,000Mbps) broadband to remote, isolated communities

As part of its unique build model, B4RN works shoulder-to-shoulder with volunteers from within communities, to get those communities connected.

Chief operating officer Tom Rigg said: “We are humbled to have received these awards on behalf of all our staff, volunteers, and the communities we serve.

"It is the strong partnership between landowners, communities, and staff that make it possible to deploy Full Fibre Gigabit Broadband services to some of the hardest to reach areas in England, that would otherwise be left behind.”

The awards were accepted at a dinner at St George’s Hall in Liverpool on Wednesday, which took place during the annual INCA Conference.

B4RN CEO Michael Lee said: “At B4RN we do things differently. We exist to bring the best internet in the country to the communities that are hardest to reach. We do this by working shoulder to shoulder with those communities, and we do it to deliver enduring benefit to those communities. It is humbling to see our unique approach, and the hard work and sacrifice of our staff, volunteers and landowners recognised on the national stage once again.”

INCA’s ‘Best Community Project’ award highlights community-led projects that might otherwise go under the radar using innovative approaches to challenging circumstances.

The ‘Outstanding Contribution’ award was for B4RN’s leading role in the creation of ‘Voucher Priority Areas’ under Project Gigabit last year, which protected vital funding for altnets trying to connect the most remote communities.

Further recognition could be on the way for B4RN next week. They are defending their title of ‘Best Rural ISP’ at the ISPA Awards in London, having claimed that trophy in 2021.

Meanwhile, in September, B4RN had another outstanding result - winning won two awards at Connected Britain, the UK’s number one connectivity event.