Superfast Broadband Reaches 95000 Homes and Businesses in Cornwall UK

The Superfast Cornwall project has announced that superfast broadband ISP services are now available to 95,000 Cornish homes and businesses, although just 6,000+ premises have actually subscribed to the service. Thankfully new orders are being created at an average rate of 250 per week, which is up from 200 per week and 4,000 connected in February 2012.

The £132 Million “Big Build” scheme, which is dominated by BT’s network infrastructure, ultimately hopes to makes superfast internet access available to “at least” 80% (ideally 90%) of premises in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly by the end of 2014.

Nigel Ashcroft, Superfast Cornwall Programme Director (CDC), said:

“The partnership is making strong progress. At the start of the programme we set ourselves the ambitious target of rolling out the network to 90,000 Cornish homes and businesses by the end of March [2012]. We more than achieved that target and are now working towards the 100,000 mark, which we expect to reach in the next few weeks.

But, of course, it is not just about building a new network. Crucially, we are also seeing great enthusiasm for superfast broadband from the homes and businesses of Cornwall. Orders are being received at a record rate and continuing to grow.”

Ranulf Scarbrough, BT’s Superfast Cornwall Director, said:

“Our engineering teams have been working flat out to meet growing demand and to build a network, which will make Cornwall and the Isles one of the best connected rural locations in the world. A huge amount of work remains and there are many challenges to be overcome, but already Superfast Cornwall is a great success story. The technology is already making an important contribution to Cornwall’s future success, boosting the competitiveness of businesses whilst offering new educational and entertainment opportunities for households.”

So far 52 of Cornwall’s 99 telephone exchange areas have been upgraded to support the new service, while Satellite and wireless solutions are being used to reach locations where the fixed line connectivity cannot go.