The county was selected by the government as a pilot to demonstrate to others how to procure superfast broadband almost two years ago, but has experienced a number of significant setbacks. Many other local authorities are now ahead of Cumbria in procuring superfast broadband.

Initial bids from BT and Fujitsu in June who claimed that neither submission fulfilled the requirements of the procurement process, which eventually resulted in of the second round of bidding altogether.

With BT as the only option remaining it is hardly surprising that a deal has been struck, but the council now says the revised submission is satisfactory.

"Being a national pilot means this has been a long, complex and challenging process but the time and resources invested means we are now in a position to make a well informed decision that will drive out maximum benefits for our county and ensure we provide the very best broadband services to Cumbria," said Stewart Young, Deputy Leader of Cumbria County Council and Cabinet member with responsibility for procurement.

When it was revealed that Fujitsu had pulled out of procurement, Computerworld UK spoke to a Cumbrian MP who and said that giving all the council's funding to BT is 'nonsense'.