Superfast Broadband Reaches Most Southerly Point of the British Mainland

The £132m “Big Build” Superfast Cornwall project, which aims to make BT’s superfast broadband ISP services available to “at least” 80% of premises in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly by the end of 2014, has connected 17,000 customers in the region and reached Britain’s most southerly community (Lizard Point).

The Lizard Peninsula is officially the most southerly point of the British mainland and until recently had not been able to receive a reliable broadband service. Now around 700 homes and businesses in the area, including in the neighbouring villages of Cadgwith and Ruan Minor, have access to the new service.

In addition the Big Build project has so far extended the reach of BT’s “fibre broadband” (FTTC and FTTP) services to over 45% of premises in Cornwall, with some 17,000 subscribers having adopted the new service (significantly up from the 6,000+ recorded in April 2012 and 15,000+ last month).

Ranulf Scarbrough, BTs Superfast Cornwall Director, said:

“The arrival of superfast broadband opens another exciting chapter in the story of an iconic location already famous for its links with Marconi and Telstar. Some of the most exciting experiments of modern times have taken place on The Lizard, such as Marconi’s first live transatlantic radio message and the first live transatlantic television pictures via the Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station.

Now we are seeing a new communications technology introduced, which also has the ability to transform the lives of people and businesses. Take-up of fibre optic broadband at The Lizard is very encouraging with 15 happy customers already connected and a further 46 orders to be completed.”

James and Donna Glosby, landlord of the local Top House Inn, which is also Britain’s most southerly inn, added: “Being located in the most southerly village, we are exposed to the elements and at times we have struggled to get any connection at all. It’s going to be a huge benefit.”

The project is funded by around £53.5 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and £78.5 million has come directly from BT. Superfast Cornwall got off to a slow start and still has a long way to go but adoption now appears to be increasing at a fairly strong and steady pace.