The Remote Working Index

With more people working from home, Fibrus commissioned research into this phenomenon. Drawing on measures including broadband speed, average house prices, access to shared and flexible workspaces, proximity to green spaces and transport links to cities, the Fibrus research produced a Top 10 places to live as a remote worker both in Northern Ireland and in Cumbria. 

The Northern Ireland Index

Limavady came out top in Northern Ireland with 95% of homes having ultrafast broadband. Ranking favourably with average house prices of £166,332 and average rent costs of £860pcm the town also scored well for green spaces with 52% of land within one mile, 85% within two miles and 92% within ten miles allocated as green spaces, allowing home workers a solace for a lunch time, pre-or post-work stroll. 

Limavady native and Fibrus customer Thomas Adeleaux is enjoying working from home every day at Magilligan outside Limavady. CRO Consultant Thomas works from home with a once-a-month day in an office in London. Thomas commented:

Since moving home to Limavady, I can now work without calls dropping, access applications first time, and no longer need to plan my meetings around housemates who are also online sharing the bandwidth. I am also a massive gamer, so I need an ultrafast connection. The speed has been incredible since we signed up and I’m able to game online while my partner streams. The streaming platform is on all the time in our house and I no longer have to plan when I game as I don’t have to wait on updates or apps to download anymore, it is instant now whereas this would have taken a long time before.

The Cumbria Index

In terms of the Top 10 places in Cumbria best suited for remote working, Carlisle tops the list followed by Dalton in Furness and Cockermouth.

Suzanne Elsworth is a freelance copywriter and journalist in Cockermouth. She signed up with Fibrus in 2024 when it came to Cockermouth saying:

The service from day one was really great. The broadband has never failed, that’s a joy, and I get the speeds I need for uploading and downloading data heavy images.

Powering Regional Growth

Linda McMillan, Chief People Officer, Fibrus group, welcomed the Fibrus research saying:

Last year, we commissioned a Futurist to look at the potential of rural communities as engines for growth, and remote working was just one of the pillars of growth over the next 25 years.  

We know anecdotally from our customers how much enhanced connectivity has already enabled people to return to their hometown without compromising career prospects, possibly to start a family or to set up their own business, but we were interested to see how Northern Ireland and Cumbria’s towns stacked up when it came to other factors that would create a really attractive proposition to a remote worker or someone who regularly ‘works from home’ – especially through the lens of someone considering a return to NI or Cumbria from further afield.

Alan Lowry Chairperson of the Federation of Small Businesses NI (FSB), and owner of Environmental Street Furniture (ESF) a global export business exporting to more than 30 countries, recognises the economic importance of Full Fibre broadband and how it boosts Northern Ireland’s economic potential through remote, hybrid working and helping make the world a smaller place to do business. Alan said:

This Remote Working Index commissioned by Fibrus highlights not only the necessity of first class broadband but also the importance of access to affordable housing, green spaces and local business hubs. Remote Working helps businesses to operate across multiple time zones, with the ability to unlock new growth opportunities and reach national and international markets from home, rather than a 24/7 office. 

Remote working provides flexibility and mutual benefits to workers and businesses. With over 96% of premises in Northern Ireland having access to Full Fibre broadband, being able to work from home is helping previously economically inactive individuals get back into employment. It offers an improved work life balance with fewer commutes to the office, reducing the environmental impact of workers, and providing more free time to spend with family and friends. 

Businesses’ green credentials are improved with less travel to the office and reduced national and international travel, helping to improve productivity and reduce travel expenditure. With over 6,000 members in the Federation of Small Businesses in Northern Ireland, ensuring they have the digital tools and connectivity to operate efficiently is essential for their success, and a key focus for us as an organisation.

To view the Cumbria index please click here.

To view the Northern Ireland index please click here.