Telecoms operator BT has announced that the first 50 customers have been connected to its new superfast broadband ISP network in Cornwall UK, which uses Fibre-to-the-Cabinet ( FTTC ) technology to deliver speeds of up to 40Mbps.

The move is part of BT's major £132 million project (announced last year) to make Next Generation Access (NGA) services available almost 90% of local businesses and homes across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly by 2014.

At present the service is available to just 1,000 homes and businesses in the Chiverton Cross and Chacewater areas. However, by Thursday 31st March 2011, it will also have gone live in St Agnes, St Day, Portreath, Devoran, Leedstown, Stenalees and Par (another 14,000 customers).


The early locations are all part of BT's initial pilot scheme in South East Cornwall (plus a few other areas), which is running in advance of the main roll-out programme. So far 150 kilometres of new fibre optic cable has been installed and more will follow.


Crucially 50% of local premises are expected to be connected using BT's fastest 'up to' 110Mbps Fibre-to-the-Premises ( FTTP ) technology, while the rest will benefit from its slower 40Mbps FTTC service and other solutions.

Of course for all the many wonders this will do in the area it still leaves 10% or more without an adequate connection and probably feeling somewhat neglected. It could take many years to resolve the final 10% issue, not just in Cornwall but across the country.

Meanwhile locals can find out more about the programme at www.superfastcornwall.org. Further details about the full roll-out programme across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly will be announced in May 2011.