Kieran Martin, Operations Director at Viberoptix is sharing what it takes to deliver full fibre broadband across rural Cumbria. Filmed near Coniston Water in partnership with Future Networks Solutions our supplier, Kieran talks about the challenges of building in tough terrain. You can view this video here. 

Viberoptix are adapting ducting approaches to meet the demands of complex real world environments-improving efficiency and reducing environmental impact and disruption for surrounding communities. You can view this video here. 

Sustainability is more important than ever when delivering full fibre in areas like the Lake District. We are reducing our environmental impact across our Cumbria build-lowering carbon footprint, increasing the use of recycled materials and adapting construction methods for sensitive locations. You can view this video here. 

Viberoptix engage with customers from the start of a build. We hear from Phil Johnston, owner of the Coppermines and Lakes Cottages, a wedding and holiday venue in rural Cumbria, who shares his experiences of working with our team throughout the full fibre build. Phil explains what it means now to be preparing for gigabit connectivity.  

Fibrus has reached a major Project Gigabit milestone ahead of schedule connecting over 30,000 homes and businesses. Naomhan McCrory, CEO of Viberoptix, said:  

“We’re incredibly proud to be part of a project that is transforming connectivity for communities across Cumbria. 

Reaching this milestone ahead of schedule reflects the strength of our teams on the ground and the collaborative approach we’ve taken across the Fibrus Group, working closely with local authorities, stakeholders and partners to navigate challenges and keep delivery moving in some of the most complex build environments in the UK.”

With over half of the 53,000 premises now delivered, progress continues as the rollout moves into its next stage. 

Staff in our Coalisland and Penrith offices have united for an International Women’s Day breakfast, recognising the contribution of women across Viberoptix.  

As part of SistersIN’s Job Shadow Day we welcomed our HR Director Claire McCay’s mentee Seonna to our Coalisland office where she gained insight into working life. 

We also celebrated Fibrus’ inaugural ConnectHER Awards, a Group-wide initiative celebrating the inspiring women who drive our success every day. Congratulations to all the winners, including Sarah Dow who won the ‘Rising Star’ award for exceptional leadership promise and thinks more women should consider careers in science, technology and engineering. 

Sarah Dow is proof that working in tech can be the perfect career choice for a woman. 

Sarah, 20, joined  Viberoptix, 18 months ago as a telecoms apprentice as part of our bespoke training programme to support people to get into telecoms. Today, Sarah is a fully trained  Fibre Splicer. 

Our ESG team have been working alongside Hyperfast GB to support Westmorland and Furness Council’s One Tree per Resident Project, helping distribute free saplings to residents.  

The initiative aims to plant 250,000 trees over five years in response to the climate and biodiversity crises – improving air quality, reducing flooding risk and restoring habitats. With more than 110,000 trees already planted, real progress is underway. Trees have benefits for climate, biodiversity and communities such as Penrith.
We’re proud to play a part in supporting nature recovery across Cumbria and the communities we work in every day. 

To find out more about the One Tree per Resident Project, visit here.

At Viberoptix, we believe building a world-class fibre network starts with investing in our people. We are marking this Apprenticeship month by spotlighting some of our apprentices – sharing real stories about the hands-on experience they’re gaining, and the career paths apprenticeships can open up. 

Ruairi McAllister works within the GIS & Design team at Viberoptix and is currently completing a Computing Systems degree at Ulster University Belfast. 

• What initially made you choose an apprenticeship with Viberoptix? 

I knew early on that I wante to pursue a career in IT, so I attended an apprenticeship event at South West College in Dungannon. While there, I spoke with the team at the Viberoptix stand and was really interested in the work they were doing around network planning. It felt purposeful and impactful, and the role suited me both professionally and practically. 

I applied for the apprenticeship at 18 and later made the decision to switch to Ulster University Belfast to complete a four-year BSc in Computing Systems through the apprenticeship route. This has been a really positive move, allowing me to develop academically while gaining hands-on industry experience alongside my studies. 

• What does a typical day look like for you? 

A typical day starts with reviewing messages and emails to identify any design updates or changes needed across network maps in Northern Ireland. I then prioritise tasks based on delivery deadlines. 

Most of my work involves planning fibre networks, running GIS automation tools and quality-checking designs to ensure accuracy and consistency. While priorities can change throughout the day, the focus is always on delivering high-quality work on time. 

• What key skills have you developed so far through your apprenticeship, and how are you already applying them in your role day-to-day? 

Through my apprenticeship, I’ve developed strong technical GIS skills, alongside attention to detail and problem-solving abilities. I’ve learned how to analyse and interpret geospatial data, use ArcGIS Pro effectively, and apply robust quality control processes to network designs. 

I’ve also strengthened my communication skills by working closely with different teams across the business to resolve design issues and support project delivery. 

• How has your role evolved since your apprenticeship, and what does your job involve today? 

I started out planning urban fibre networks across Northern Ireland and Great Britain, before progressing to rural delivery work. This involved planning and quality-checking designs town by town and seeing projects through to completion. 

My role has continued to evolve, and I now work solely on the Gigabit project in Northern Ireland. This involves taking ownership of network design, managing quality assurance, and handling design changes to support the delivery of fibre infrastructure across the region. 

• Would you recommend an apprenticeship at Viberoptix, and what advice would you give to someone considering it? 

Yes, I would definitely recommend an apprenticeship at Viberoptix. It’s a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience while studying, and you’re trusted with real responsibility from an early stage. 

My advice would be to stay curious, ask questions and take every opportunity to learn. The more effort you put in, the more you’ll get out of the experience. 

Find out more 

Interested in starting your career with Viberoptix or learning more about working with our teams?
Get in touch at careers@fibrus.com. 

We came together as a group to roll out our 12 Life Saving Rules – we had great sessions full of conversation and activities, highlighting the importance of Health and Safety across the workplace.

In July we welcomed 6 Administration Apprentices to Viberoptix. Working towards achieving their OCN Level 1 Award in Vocational Skills and getting valuable work experience, they’ve been a fab addition to our teams!

Successfully delivering Project Stratum in NI is a major achievement, so we made sure our teams who were instrumental in this success got the chance to celebrate together!

Our team had a fab day celebrating Fibrus’ 5th birthday at Todd’s Leap – plenty of activities, food and craic had by all!

🥊Friday night is the big fight night for our very own Feargal McCrory!

Fighting to become World Champion, everyone at Viberoptix will be cheering you on Feargal!