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BT Brings Broadband To Torpoint

Posted: 13th Mar, 2004 By: MarkJ

It's done! BT has finally managed to lay an undersea fibre optic cable to Torpoint, allowing the areas exchange to benefit from being broadband ADSL enabled:

BT's broadband programme drives into the deep
New undersea cable to Torpoint a first in UK broadband rollout

The BT exchange at Torpoint, which serves about 3,500 households and businesses, is the only exchange in the UK to have had an undersea cable installed so that it can provide the high speed service. Broadband will go live at Torpoint from Wednesday March 24.

The fibre optic cable, almost one kilometre in length, was laid across the Tamar River between Devonport and Torpoint in a two day operation, involving the cable laying vessel Portree II and managed by a team of three specialists from BT subsea operations.

Lizzie Beesley, BT South West regional director, said: "The laying of the cable went smoothly, though the project has been complex.

"We needed to obtain the permission of The Duchy of Cornwall and The Department of Transport and consulted with English Nature and the harbour master. Then, of course, we had to take into account tides and the winter weather.

"This project is a very clear demonstration of BT's commitment to providing broadband throughout the UK.

" Broadband equipment has already been installed in the Torpoint exchange. The undersea cable, which will carry broadband and a wide variety of other high speed data services, was the final major part of the operation.

"It will expand greatly the capacity of the BT network serving Torpoint and the surrounding area."

More than 600 Torpoint businesses and households have said they would use the service in a registration scheme that helps BT direct investment to where there is a proven demand. Businesses and households in areas not yet served by ADSL broadband can log an interest in ordering the service with their service provider.

A BT exchange is included in the broadband programme once sufficient registrations have been received from customers.

The Torpoint announcement was today welcomed by Actnow, the multi million pound private and public sector broadband partnership in Cornwall, funded by the EU's Objective One programme. Actnow offers advice and financial subsidies to help small businesses make the most of broadband technology.

Nigel Ashcroft, Actnow project director, said: "Broadband becoming available in Torpoint is another important step forward in the continuing drive to make sure Cornwall takes full advantage of the huge opportunities offered by information and communications technology.

"Take up of broadband by small and medium businesses in the county is estimated to be the best of any rural area in the country. More than 3,000 Cornish businesses and more than 16,000 households are now using broadband.

"Our congratulations must go to the team of local broadband campaigners, which worked very hard to raise awareness of broadband in Torpoint. I'm sure Torpoint householders and businesspeople will be delighted to benefit from the service."