Fibrus People Spotlight November 2024 Q&A

  • Name:

Gabriela Petrisor  

  • Job title:

Senior Associate, NOC 

  • Where are you from? 

I am from Romania, but I lived in Cyprus for 16 years before moving to Northern Ireland. 

  • What do you like to do in your free time?/When are you at your happiest? 

I like to spend time with my family, study, and, if the weather permits, do some outdoor activities. 

  • What are you passionate about? E.g., charity work, extracurricular, spending time with family 

I really enjoy studying and learning new things every day. 

  • What’s something you saw recently that made you smile/laugh? 

I smile or laugh most of the time. The other day, I went on a fishing trip with my daughters in Bangor, and my youngest started singing to attract the fish. Surprisingly, we caught quite a few! 

  • How do you like to wind down from your day? 

A warm cup of coffee and a good movie. 

  • What does your typical day at Fibrus look like? 

Haha, there is no typical day at Fibrus, and that’s amazing. 

  • What’s your go-to productivity trick? 

I think organising the workload or tasks for the day, making sure I get the time-sensitive work out of the way first, so I can focus on the more difficult tasks. 

  • What led you to this career? 

I was always intrigued by what happens ‘behind the scenes’, how information travels from A to B, how computers work, and how technology evolves. That’s why I started my studies in Cyber Security, hoping to gain as much knowledge as possible. 

  • What motivates you at work? 

The sense of accomplishment when finding solutions. Also, being part of a great team with an amazing leader gives me a sense of belonging. 

  • What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from? 

Years ago from my mum: “There is no such thing as ‘I can’t’ – think, there must be a solution.” 

  • What’s your earliest memory? 

Me and my sister (most probably around the age of 5), wearing matching skirts, spinning around, thinking we were ballerinas. 

  • What book, movie, or music changed your outlook on life? 

The first book I ever read: White Fang by Jack London. 

  • What’s the top destination on your must-visit list? 

Australia. 

Fly a loved one home for Christmas

To thank you for being part of our journey to 100,000 customers (and counting) we are offering one family in Northern Ireland, and one family in Cumbria the gift of face-to-face time with a loved one this Christmas.

We will be gifting a return flight back ‘home’ for a family member or friend who currently lives overseas and wouldn’t otherwise be able to make it back for the festive season.

Speaking on the competition, Dominic Kearns, CEO of Fibrus, commented:

“Reaching 100K customers is a huge milestone for us. We began our journey just four years ago, so to be able to say we now have 100K customers on our network is something we’re incredibly proud of.”

“We’ve heard firsthand from customers that our network is enabling connections all year round, making it possible for people in rural communities to stay connected to loved ones near and far.”

“However, we know nothing beats real life connections with loved ones at Christmas. That’s why we want to celebrate by making a Christmas wish come true for one family in Northern Ireland and one family in Cumbria – bringing a loved one home to share a real life cuppa to this festive season.”

To apply for Fibrus’ ‘Christmas Connections’ competition, applicants should share why their loved one deserves the gift of face-to-face time this Christmas and what it would mean to be reunited and celebrate the festive season together after spending so long apart.

To apply, please visit: https://fibrus.com/home-for-christmas

Entries for the competition close at midnight on 19th November 2024. The winner will be contacted later that week.

Good luck!

T&C’s apply

Counting down the days to Black Friday deals?

Black Friday is the ultimate shopping event, officially kicking off the holiday season on the 29th of November 2024. But we’re so excited to bring you our biggest and best broadband deals that we’ve launched them early. Get ready to upgrade your broadband and grab incredible savings! 

Take Your Broadband to the Next Level with Wi-Fi 6 

Our Black Friday deals are designed to give you a seamless, high-speed experience – ideal for online shopping, streaming, gaming, and more. With Wi-Fi 6 enabled Amazon eero routers, you can connect up to 100 devices at once, helping you catch all the sales from every corner of your home. Don’t let slow internet hold you back this Black Friday! 

Save Big with Full Fibre Packages Starting from just £19.99pm 

Looking for a bargain or a way to lower monthly bills? Now’s the time to switch. Our Full Fibre plans start from just £19.99pm, potentially saving you up to £450. Plus, you’ll get free installation, with no hidden fees, and absolutely no mid-contract price hikes. Already in a contract? We may be able to buy it out, making it even easier to make the switch to fast, reliable broadband. 

Ready to switch? Just check your postcode to see if our packages are available in your area. 

Black Friday Broadband FAQs 

Q: What router do I get with Fibrus Broadband?
A: With our Fibrus Broadband plans, you’ll receive the award-winning Amazon eero router with Wi-Fi 6 technology. Depending on your chosen speed, you’ll receive one Amazon eero 6+ (up to 150Mb) two eero 6+ (for 500Mb) or two Pro 6E routers for 1Gb and 2Gb speeds. Upgrade to Total Home Wi-Fi to guarantee whole-home coverage, eliminating dead spots and buffering. 

Q: How can I check my current broadband speed?
A: To see how your current broadband is performing, simply use a reliable broadband speed test tool like nperf. 

Q: Will it cost me to switch providers?
A: Switching costs depend on your current provider, but Fibrus offers a contract buyout option to help you make the switch. We also provide free set up with no hidden fees. 

Q: When is the best time to switch providers?
A: Right now! Our Black Friday deal is the best offer of the year, giving you major savings on a broadband upgrade. 

Q: How do I switch to Fibrus Broadband?
A: Switching is simple: 

  1. Check your postcode for availability. 
  2. Select the package that meets your needs. 
  3. Enter your details, and you’re on your way to better broadband. 

Q: Can I switch broadband before my contract ends?
A: Absolutely! If you’re ready to switch but still under contract, we can help with our contract buyout option and One Touch Switch service. Give our Sales team a call at 02890 993230, and we’ll help you make the switch seamlessly. 

 

Take advantage of our unbeatable Black Friday broadband offers, and make sure your holiday season is full of seamless streaming, smooth online shopping, and reliable connectivity throughout your home. Check your postcode and see how much you could save today! 

6 Movies to watch this Halloween

Get into the Halloween spirit with our top movie picks 

The crisp autumn air, the rustling of leaves, and the distant howls of the wind can only mean one thing – it’s spooky season. To get you in the spirit, we’re dying to share our top 6 Halloween movie picks with you. But first, let’s dive into the haunting horrors of what other broadband providers may put you through this Halloween. 

The last thing you need is a streaming nightmare, terrifying price hikes, or dead spots. But fear not, we’ve brewed up something special to make your Halloween extra sweet –fibrefast speeds, a total home Wi-Fi guarantee, no hidden costs, no mid-contract price hikes and a buyout option available if you’re stuck in contract. Plus, we’re easy on your wallet, which is especially important this time of the year. No tricks, just treats!

Switching is simple, not scary 

Just enter your postcode, choose your package and switch online. Or alternatively, reach out to our switch experts at 028 9099 3230 (NI) or 080 0099 1111 (GB) to get one step closer to seamless streaming without any ghostly interruptions!   

Lights, camera, horror 

Now, back to the main event – the movies. We’ve dug out some killer options, from family-friendly classics to terrifying thrillers, we’ve got your Halloween movie marathon covered!

Family-friendly classics (Top 3)*

  1. Scooby-Doo sequel (PG)
    Join the Mystery Inc. gang as they reunite on Spooky Island, where strange happenings turn a fun adventure into a mystery they must solve together.
  2. The Nightmare Before Christmas (PG)
    Jack Skellington, Halloween Town’s pumpkin king, discovers a new world – Christmas Town. His quest to bring Christmas to his home creates delightful chaos.
  3. Beetlejuice (12)
    Adam and Barbara, a not-so-average deceased couple, turn to the quirky “bio-exorcist” beetlejuice to deal with their unwanted houseguests.  

Adult classics (Top 3)* 

  1. The Shining (15)
    Jack Torrance becomes the off-season caretaker of an eerie hotel, but as winter sets in, his descent into madness threatens his family’s safety. Room 237 holds secrets that could cost them everything.
  2. Scream (18)
    A terrifying caller plays a deadly game with Tara, forcing her to confront her worst fears. With the return of Ghostface, old secrets resurface, and new victims are targeted. Who is behind the mask?
  3. A Nightmare on Elm Street (18)
    A vengeful entity haunts the dreams of young adults, seeking retribution for the sins of their past. As Freddy Kruger’s nightmarish reign unfolds, survival becomes a waking nightmare. 

Don’t be left in the dark this Halloween – join us on the brighter side! With our fast and reliable Full Fibre broadband, you can stream these spooktacular movies without a single interruption. So, why not save some money and treat yourself to one of our scarily great deals?  

*Check availability with our Postcode Checker to get started now. 

*Film Classification as shown on BBFC (October, 2024). 
*Film descriptions are sourced from IMDb website (October, 2024). 
*T&Cs apply, subject to availability. 

Pupils share digital skills with pensioners thanks to Fibrus Broadband

Children were able to use their digital skills to help pensioners with their IT needs thanks to a grant from the Fibrus Community Fund.

KABS, the parent committee of Broughton Primary School, set up to advance the education of pupils in Great Broughton, has launched a new initiative to bring the generations together to make the most of digital opportunities. Pensioners enjoying a community lunch at Little Broughton village hall were delighted when pupils dropped in to offer them some tips and demonstrate how they use tablets for their schoolwork.

Among those to get some advice from the youngsters was Linda Taylor who picked up some useful tips she’ll be using at home. “I’ve really enjoyed seeing the children and how interested they are in their work. The pupils showed me how to delete things to free up space because my devices are often full up,” she said.

Grace Sewell was also impressed with the impromptu tech lesson too, adding: “Everything the children taught us was very interesting. I didn’t realise you could now do so much on electronic devices. It’s a great way of learning for the children too and it was nice to see how enthusiastic they were.”

The pupils enjoyed the session too as they spent time demonstrating various apps and features on their iPads. Penny, nine, said: “The iPads are so fun, we are really lucky to have our own iPads at school.

“I showed the ladies an app called notes. There is a voice button and it helps you with spellings if you are writing letters which they said would be useful.”

KABS committee member and school parent Emma Lankester is delighted to see the project taking shape. She said: “Thank you to Fibrus, this is going to make such a difference to our community in many different ways.

“We now have digital champions in the school who will be meeting the older community who might not be as confident with the internet or have the same knowledge about new technology. A £1750 grant from the Fibrus Community Fund funded iPads which will be used in lessons to ensure each child has an iPad available to them.

They will also be used for community digital projects such as helping older people with technology and for delivering internet safety education events for parents and carers.

The Fibrus Community Fund was set up by the Full Fibre broadband provider last year to address digital poverty in the communities it serves across Cumbria and Northern Ireland.

Linda McMillan, Chief People Officer at Fibrus, said: “Bringing the benefits of Full Fibre broadband to communities is at the heart of what we do.”

“However, sometimes even more help is needed to allow everyone to reap the benefits of being connected, and that’s why we’re delighted that our Community Fund can help groups like KABS ”

“We applaud KABS for creating a project that both allows children to access devices, but also reduces isolation in the older generation by allowing children to act as digital mentors. Pupils will help the older generation with things such as emailing their grandchildren or ordering groceries online, allowing them to stay connected, while developing leadership skills in children. We are proud to support a project that can connect and elevate many members of the community.

Fibrus, in partnership with Cumbria Community Foundation, established the Community Fund Cumbria in April 2023 to work to reduce digital poverty with a particular focus on older and younger people. By the end of 2024, Fibrus will have invested £120,000 in the Community Fund in Cumbria alone, supporting over 30 community groups based across Cumbria.

Fibrus Broadband Customer Testimonial | Jim

“Everything we do has been transformed”

For business consultant Jim, running a global business from rural Northern Ireland wasn’t always easy- until he switched to Fibrus.

Originally from Edinburgh, Jim moved to Northern Ireland 15 years ago after meeting his wife Yvonne, a local doctor. “I was traveling the world when I met my wife, whose clinic was just two miles from where we live now. The conversation about who was moving was the shortest in the history of the world,” Jim says with a smile.

While Jim quickly embraced rural life, poor internet speeds made it hard to work remotely.

“When I arrived here, we had a BT line, and on a really good day, I got 2.5Mb,” Jim recalls. Despite trying satellite broadband, new routers, and multiple providers, the internet speed remained frustratingly slow.

Jim’s frustration peaked as he struggled to hold Zoom meetings with such slow speeds.

“It really was the bane of our life,” he says.

A game-changer with Fibrus

For Jim & Yvonne, switching to Fibrus made rural living seamless, allowing him to run his business effortlessly and enjoy the best of both worlds.

“The installation was swift, and within 15 minutes, we were experiencing speeds of 300Mb,” Jim shares.

The new connection improved every aspect of the couple’s digital life.

“Our world changed instantly. Now I’ve got Wi-Fi calling, I can send files of any size without an issue or hold Zoom calls with people around the world – all without a hiccup.

“We can watch 4K TV without buffering- it’s transformed everything.

“Every task I faced before – like figuring out how to get things done, going to the library, or other workarounds – now it’s just all on tap in the house. It’s had a massive impact.”

“All the stress is gone!”

Pupils plant flowers for a greener future

Year three pupils at Brampton Primary School helped to plant over 600 wildflower plugs as part of an initiative to restore valuable sites for bees and other pollinators.

The school was invited to join in with Full Fibre broadband provider Fibrus’ ongoing partnership with Cumbria Wildlife Trust with a community planting day at nearby Irthing Park.

Such environmental initiatives are not only important for local biodiversity, but can also provide a hands-on learning experience for pupils.

Through the wildflower planting day, the children were able to learn about nature in their own community. The children gain a deeper understanding of ecological systems and the significance of preserving our environment.

Anna Brooks, Brampton Primary school teacher, said: “The children have had a wonderful time planting within the community and it fits in perfectly with our plants topic later on in the year. In year two, they learned about seasoned bulbs and what is needed for germination, so it was great to be able to apply that knowledge with a hands-on learning experience.

“At the school we have ‘Eco warriors’, in other words, they are our student councillors, who have weekly meetings to discuss sustainability and the environment. They are working with Miss Moss to create wildflower gardens at the school, so it was great for them to be able to learn more about what is involved.”

The children worked in small groups to plant the wildflowers, while members of Cumbria Wildlife Trust taught them all about the positive impact that the wildflowers would have on the area.

Pupil Ziza Ridley, said: “I enjoyed putting the plug plants into the ground with my friend Julia so that the insects will enjoy the wildflowers.”

Brampton Green and Wild, a local wildlife gardening group, who are dedicated to creating spaces that encourage biodiversity and provide essential habitats, also attended to help plant the wildflowers and initially approached Cumberland Council about establishing wildflower habitat at the park.

Volunteer Lisa Bennington said: “I think we’ve lost the ability to have areas like this for children to come and experience. This initiative will allow children to do bug hunts, look at the flowers and learn about the environment, all while encouraging pollinators.

“We’d love for people in Brampton to see the benefits of this project, in helping children learn  and for creating habitats for the bugs and insects.”

With a £150,000 contribution as part of one of their environmental initiatives in the county, Fibrus is aiming to help Cumbria Wildlife Trust to create or restore 15 valuable sites for pollinators during the three year project. Cumbria Wildlife Trust is running the community planting days, as well as pollinator identification and training sessions as part of the initiative.

Charlotte Rankin, pollinator conservation officer at Cumbria Wildlife Trust, said: “We’ve had over one thousand wildflowers to plant today and we’ve sped through them thanks to so many volunteers joining us today, it’s been brilliant. We’ve lost over 97 per cent of our wildflower meadows, so every patch of habitat that we can bring back into our green space really makes a difference for pollinators.

“Getting the children involved in the actual restoration activities, like the seed sowing and the planting, is a lovely opportunity for them to learn and contribute directly to conserving pollinators.”

Neil Northman, member of the Hyperfast GB Stakeholder team at Fibrus also attended the event to help plant the flowers.

He said: “It was incredible to see the Brampton community come together in support of this environmental initiative. We’re delighted to see the partnership with Cumbria Wildlife Trust and Fibrus really come to life through the planting days and is a true reflection of our commitment to environmental sustainability.”

Plans to create wildflower habitat were shaped by Brampton Green & Wild, Cumberland Council and Cumbria Wildlife Trust. Cumberland Council’s Open Spaces Team will maintain the areas as part of their Conservation Grasslands initiative to help the wildflower areas to flourish.

There will also be opportunity for the community to get involved with raking off cuttings, and Brampton Green & Wild hope to organise wildflower and pollinator surveys to help monitor the areas.

Carlise Hockey Club invited to have a ball on the pitch

Over 50 grassroots sports clubs have benefited from Fibrus Play it Forward Fund, which aims to support children’s sports clubs in rural communities. 

The fund, which is now in its second year, has provided more than 20K to Cumbrian grassroot sports groups and an additional £30K to groups in Northern Ireland. Over the last two years, the Fibrus Play it Forward fund has contributed over £100,000 to sports clubs (£40,000 in Cumbria), helping kids get outside and switch off from their devices.  

The Play it Forward Fund is designed to support children and young people under the age of 18 by encouraging them to get involved with sports on a community level. It’s aim, however, is to reach beyond sports, empowering children in local communities to prioritise movement, health and wellbeing. 

Carlisle Hockey Club are among 20 organisations benefitting and will use their £1000 grant to create a compelling membership package that includes a junior hockey stick and an emoji ball to encourage young players to get started and keep going with the sport.  

Leah Shearer, a volunteer at the hockey club, said: “This grant is a fantastic opportunity for us to grow our junior section and continue nurturing young talent. 

“By offering equipment and resources that make joining the club more affordable and fun, we aim to inspire more children to take up hockey and stay engaged. It’s about creating opportunities for young players to develop their skills and enjoy the sport in a supportive environment.” 

Many of Carlisle Hockey Club’s teams feature in regional leagues, and the club takes particular pride in encouraging and developing junior members with a programme of structured training. 

Their Fibrus grant will directly benefit children in the Carlisle area by offering better value-for-money membership packages and making it easier to participate, with equipment provided. 

To find out more, visit the Fibrus Play it Forward Fund.

Fibrus helping local teenager lift to new heights

We were delighted to sponsor Dunloy local, Adam Gault, on his journey to South Africa to represent Northern Ireland in the International Powerlifting Federation Commonwealth Championships Bench Press Event.

The event took place from 4 – 13 October at which Adam not only become the new Commonwealth Sub Junior 93kg Champion but he also secured gold in both the squat and bench press categories, along with a silver in the deadlift.

15-year-old Adam Gault, found a love for weightlifting during covid lockdowns and has now gone on to place 1st in his age/weight category at the Northern Ireland Powerlifting Federation Bench Press Competition held in July 2024.  Following this, he was invited to represent Northern Ireland at the International Powerlifting Commonwealth Championships in Sun City, South Africa.

Colin Hutchinson, Chief Finance Officer at Fibrus Broadband said:

Fibrus is delighted to be the Lead Sponsor of Adam Gault at the International Powerlifting Federation Commonwealth Championships and we are blown away by his success in the Bench Press event, representing Northern Ireland.”

We have invested in a range of sports over the last number of years and supporting in improving the health and wellbeing of children across the nation, is an important part of our business growth.

Adam is a fantastic example of what hard work, determination and tenacity can achieve and the benefits that exercise and sport has on individuals.  We are truly committed to supporting our communities as we deliver Full Fibre broadband to NI and beyond.

“We are excited to see what the future holds for Adam!”

 

 

Fibrus Broadband Customer Testimonial | Jody

Jody, a resident of County Down, has witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of faster internet speeds on his household and the wider Northern Irish community. “Before Fibrus, our internet speeds were a dismal 1.5-2 Mbps, which was horrible,” Jody recalls. “When Fibrus started their rollout in Northern Ireland about six months into the pandemic, it was a game-changer for us.” 

The improved broadband infrastructure has had a profound effect on both personal and professional aspects of life in Northern Ireland. Jody’s family, which includes his wife Nicola and their two teenage sons, experienced an immediate improvement. “With an Xbox, Sky Glass, Netflix, and other streaming services in use, reliable internet is essential. The previous speeds caused constant buffering and disruptions. Now, the kids can stream and game without issues, and I can work from home efficiently.” 

As a director for an American construction consultancy based in Belfast, Jody’s job requires a stable internet connection for communication and large file transfers. “I work from home at least two days a week, managing projects across Europe and India. The reliable connection from Fibrus means no more dropped calls or video freezes. It has made my career much easier to manage from home.” 

Northern Ireland now boasts one of the best broadband infrastructures in the UK, opening new economic opportunities. “We don’t need to be based in London anymore. Businesses can thrive here with the same efficiency, helping to grow our local economy,” Jody explains. The enhanced internet service also supports his company’s focus on reducing carbon footprints. “We conduct more online meetings instead of traveling, reducing our carbon emissions. With Fibrus, we can fit in 3-4 virtual meetings in the same timeframe as one in-person meeting.” 

The region’s political stability, educated workforce, and high quality of life are further boosted by reliable internet. “People are starting to realize it’s quite easy to work from here. This will help us build a stronger economy,” Jody notes. 

Jody appreciates the excellent customer service from Fibrus as well. “I accidentally cut the cable to our property, and the engineers fixed it immediately without any charges. Fibrus’ local team understands our needs and is always approachable.” He adds, “The hardware we have from Fibrus is fantastic, with no buffering during TV shows. During COVID, if someone turned on the Xbox during a video call, everything would grind to a halt. Now, there’s no stress about the internet connection.”

Switching to Fibrus was an easy decision for Jody and his family. “There was no other viable alternative,” he states. The superior internet speeds provided by Fibrus have significantly improved their quality of life and contributed to Northern Ireland’s economic development. 

Through enabling seamless personal and professional use, Fibrus is playing a critical role in transforming Northern Ireland into a competitive, modern economy.