Posted: 22nd Nov, 2010 By: MarkJ


BT has announced that the
first 8 communities to benefit from its
£132 Million project (£53.3m of which is coming from
Europe) to deploy super-fast "
fibre optic" based broadband services across
Cornwall (
original news) and the
Isles of Scilly (UK) will be
Leedstown,
Chiverton Cross area,
St Agnes,
Portreath,
St Day,
Devoran,
Stenalees and
Par.
Ultimately some 80% to 90% of local businesses and homes in the region should be able to experience internet
download speeds of up to 100Mbps ( FTTP + slower 40Mbps FTTC ) by
2014. However the initial eight locations are expected to be able to access the service by the
end of March 2011.
The initial towns and villages are to act as a pilot scheme that runs in advance of the main roll-out programme, which in its early phases will focus mainly on
South East Cornwall. It is being managed by Cornwall Council’s economic development arm, the
Cornwall Development Company (CDC).
Jon Reynolds, BT South West regional director, said:
"It is excellent news that the first Cornish businesses and homes will have access to super-fast broadband at such an early stage. This is a transformational project, which will boost the productivity of local businesses and help to attract a more diverse range of high-growth companies to the area. It will play a major role in creating a more prosperous Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly."
Carolyn Rule, a Cornwall Council Cabinet Member, added:
"The project has been making very good progress since it was announced less than two months ago. It shows the power of the public and private sectors working together to help build a bright, strong future for us all.
The businesses and people of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have good reason to be very optimistic about the years ahead."
The pilot phase should bring BT's super-fast service to approximately
10,000 businesses and homes, while the overall project will create an estimated
4,000 new jobs and protect a further 2,000. Most premises in the pilot areas will be able to access BT's
fibre-based broadband immediately (roughly 50% will even get 100Mbps), yet a minority will not be able to do so.
People not able to benefit initially will in future receive faster speeds than today through a mixture of technologies including wireless, Satellite broadband, advanced copper (i.e. ADSL2+ ) and a further extension of the fibre network.