Final bidders for Cumbria broadband project announced

A trio of providers have now been shortlisted for Accessible Cumbria, the county's super-fast broadband project.

In a statement, Cumbria County Council confirmed that BT Global Services, Cable and Wireless and Fujitsu are the three companies to reach the final stage of the selection process.

Accessible Cumbria will aim to bring broadband speeds of at least 2Mbps to every home and business in the county, even those located in the most remote areas, by 2015.

The county council is set to make its final decision regarding the provider in December 2011.

"We have every confidence that whichever of the remaining three companies is chosen to work with us on this project, they will help identify the best possible solution," said councillor Stewart Young, deputy leader and cabinet member with responsibility for procurement.

Councillor Liz Mallinson added that the initiative is "extremely important" for Cumbria, with advanced communications networks becoming increasingly vital for large rural counties.

Research commissioned by the BBC in 2009 revealed that approximately three million homes in the UK received broadband speeds of less than 2Mbps.