13.06.03
Four new broadband exchanges in Cornwall

Four new towns in Cornwall are set to receive high speed broadband internet within the next few months. Devoran, Hayle, Par and Wadebridge all reached the required trigger level of registrations last week as a result of campaigns run by local people to raise interest levels.

The last few registrations required for Wadebridge were captured by actnow at the Royal Cornwall Show where, with the help of BT, a special satellite link was set up to enable people to see broadband in action and register on the spot.

actnow encourages take-up of broadband in Cornwall and helps businesses make the most of the opportunities it presents. There are now over 5,300 broadband subscribers in Cornwall, with over 1700 sign ups from small businesses alone. The Devoran, Hayle and Par exchanges will be upgraded on 20 August and the date for Wadebridge will be announced very shortly.

Ranulf Scarbrough, Project Manager for actnow, says: "We have been trying to raise awareness of BT's broadband registration scheme as local people interested in broadband can really make a difference in helping to get broadband in their area. Thanks to a few key individuals who have been tirelessly campaigning for support, we have watched the level of interest steadily increase. But even we were blown away last week by the deluge in registrations which meant that four areas hit their target in one week - we're absolutely delighted."

Ray Pipe, owner of the Amberley Guest House is one such local 'champion' who has helped to fly the broadband flag in Par. Ray says: "I had several people ringing up in response to our campaign in the Mid Cornwall Advertiser. We're delighted that broadband is coming to Par sooner than expected; it's going to make local businesses very happy."

Together, the four new exchanges will give 15,000 businesses and households in Cornwall access to broadband technology and take up is expected to be high – demand for broadband in the county is accelerating much more quickly than the majority of similar rural areas elsewhere.

Elsewhere in the county, there are a further 13 towns for which trigger levels have been set and BT has given these remaining areas a helping hand by cutting every broadband "trigger level" in the UK by 50 registrations to mark the fact that it had passed its national target of one million wholesale broadband connections by this summer.

Ranulf Scarbrough says: "What is important is for people to keep up interest in remaining areas; it's now proven that this can drive demand and help bring forward the date when these towns get broadband. If anyone is interested in helping in their area we can give them advice and support."

For further information about how to register, visit www.bt.com/broadband.

To contact actnow either for information or to discuss helping to raise awareness of broadband in your local area, call Emma Lydon on 01209 722850.

Editor's notes:

Below is a list of Cornish telephone exchanges that have been earmarked for possible broadband upgrades. The trigger level is the number of people who must register their interest before their exchange will be broadband enabled. The percentage so far shows the percentage of pre-registration already achieved.

Exchange /Trigger point /Percentage registered so far

Nanpean 200 57%
Callington 300 47%
St Day 300 40%
St Just 300 38%
Stenalees 300 35%
Three Waters 200 35%
Portreath 300 29%
St Agnes 300 28%
St Columb 300 28%
Germoe 300 26%
Lostwithiel 300 24%
Mevagissey 300 24%
St Dominick 350 22%
 
For more information contact:

Emma Lydon 01209 722850

Jason Clark
Communications Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Tel: 01872 241379
Fax: 01872 241388
jason@dclark.co.uk

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