Businesses 'will benefit from rural broadband upgrades'

The take-up of VoIP hardware could be set to rise in Cumbria, following improvements to the region's broadband provision.

Some £16.8 million is being invested in upgrading internet connections in rural parts of the county - and local MP Tim Farron believes this is good news for businesses.

"I am delighted that our campaigning and the behind the scenes work we've done has paid off," he commented.

Mr Farron, who represents the South Lakes in the House of Commons, said high-speed internet access should boost the wider economy and "link our communities together".

He added that he would like to see the £16.8 million go towards a variety of ground-level projects that could potentially help to make a "real difference".

This comes after telecoms regulator Ofcom launched an interactive map of fixed broadband in the UK, which chief executive Ed Richards said he hopes will "stimulate further rollout of broadband infrastructure" to improve performance for both homes and businesses.