A North Lancashire community broadband company is celebrating after winning two prizes at the Connected Britain awards this week.
B4RN, Broadband for the Rural North, based at Melling, were named winners of ‘Broadband Provider of the Year’ and then also awarded the ‘Community Improvement Award’, beating off competition from a number of privately funded alternative national fibre broadband networks.
The winners were announced at the UK’s No1 Connectivity Event – Connected Britain Awards, a ceremony to recognise the most significant and innovative organisations, solutions and programmes that are shaping Britain’s digital future.
Michael Lee, CEO of B4RN, said: “It’s a significant moment for B4RN to be recognised as the UK’s ‘Broadband provider of the Year’.
‘’For the last ten years we have worked shoulder to shoulder with rural communities to bring some of the best internet service in the country to some of the hardest to reach places. This award, alongside the ‘Community Improvement Award’ are testament to the real impact we are now having on these rural communities, and the improvements we are bringing to day-to-day rural life.
“This achievement was only possible thanks to the hard work, grit and determination of our amazing communities, volunteers, staff, contractors and landowners, and the fantastic working relationships we hold with local and national government. Everyone who has supported B4RN over the years should be immensely proud that if you’re looking for the best broadband in the country, you’ll find it in rural Norfolk, and you’ll find it across the rural North.”
Volunteer and Media Manager at B4RN, Jorj Haston, said: “It’s fantastic to be part of such a brilliant organisation helping communities bring fibre broadband to their rural areas. B4RN really couldn’t do it without the volunteers, who’ve given their time, expertise, hard work, sweat and tea and cake. Team B4RN all the way!”
All of the organisations that entered were assessed by a large panel of 28 judges, which included key figures from Total Telecom, the UK Government, analyst firms, consultants, universities and various other companies or organisations with industry links.
26 arrests made at pro-Palestine demonstration outside Lancaster Castle
Lancaster Music Festival to return in 2026
Lancaster toddler with life-threatening condition honoured as ‘Young Heart Hero’
Lancaster University professor receives OBE at Windsor Castle ceremony
Heysham Power Stations’ tour for deaf visitors is first of its kind
LISTEN: Mums talk about new Lancaster & Morecambe Bay support group for parents
"Important milestone" as councils sign landmark partnership deal
Event held in Morecambe to share ideas for new Eden Project 'Bring Me Sunshine' Garden
Telecoms engineer takes on shirtless 5k challenge in memory of much-loved Lancaster man
Lancaster businesswoman completes six-month trek for Palestine
Lancaster City councillors vote to support plans to join with Preston and Ribble Valley
MP slams state of A&E department after claims ‘man with suspected broken leg turned away from RLI’
BUDGET 2025: How are people in Lancaster & Morecambe Bay affected?
Police appeal after Lancaster Pokémon card fraud
Dog trapped in fence freed by Hornby firefighters
Lancaster choir named winners of Lancashire Choir of the Year
Lancaster medical stalwart retires from NHS after almost 60 years service
Lancaster on list of targets for new M&S Simply Food store
Story of record-breaking Morecambe Bay swimmer told in new book
