11.06.04
The Big Broadband Briefing 7 July at The Eden Project

actnow hosts event to share its plans in going for 100% broadband in Cornwall

actnow, Cornwall's broadband public - private partnership, is hosting an event on 7th July to brief all interested parties on its plans for the rollout of broadband technology across the whole of Cornwall. Nigel Ashcroft, Project Director, says "Our aim is to bring the benefits of broadband to 100% of businesses and farms in Cornwall".

The event will include an announcement from BT on the rollout schedule to bring ADSL broadband to the vast majority of remaining exchanges in Cornwall. The Cornwall Broadband Partnership – a new partner in actnow - will explain how state-of-the-art wireless technology can deliver broadband to remote and rural areas.

The actnow project recently announced a £6.5 million expansion to make available the benefits of high speed internet service to 100% of businesses in Cornwall, including those in Cornwall's more remote and rural areas.

Since its launch two years ago, actnow has exceeded all of its targets, enabling 3,700 Cornwall-based businesses to access broadband technology. At least another 1,000 Cornish SMEs, 100 farms and up to 4,000 households are expected to benefit from the latest expansion, which will include a major deployment of wireless broadband technology.

John Berry, Chief Executive of Cornwall Enterprise, says: "By using a variety of technologies such as wireless and satellite broadband as well as ADSL, we can ensure that the huge opportunities offered by broadband are available in our more remote areas. But achieving complete coverage is only part of the story. We must redouble our efforts in helping as many Cornish businesses as possible to make the most of the technology. Take up of broadband in Cornwall is already estimated to be the best of any rural area in the UK – one in four small and medium businesses within reach of broadband are already signed up for the service - but there are still many companies which are not yet capitalising on the tremendous opportunity presented by this high speed service."

The EU's Objective One Programme will provide more than £2 million towards this latest phase of actnow. Carleen Kelemen, Director of the Objective One Partnership for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, says: "actnow is pushing forward with another exciting phase in the future development of Cornwall. They said it couldn't be done and now we're showing the rest of the UK how to do it. This brings us one step closer to our goal of being a more knowledge based economy."

Stephen Smith of Concept Group, part of Cornwall Broadband Partnership says: "We bring to the partnership a wealth of expertise in wireless broadband technology and applications. I believe wireless technology is going to be the salvation for more remote businesses and we hope to bring broadband to many more areas along with enhanced services offering the same upload as download speeds as well as higher bandwidths."

The Big Broadband Briefing takes place at the Eden Project Visitor Centre Gallery on Wednesday 7th July from 6pm. The event is open to anyone interested in finding out more about plans for broadband in Cornwall – people who want broadband for their business or those who want to know what they can do to help bring broadband to their area.

People who are interested in attending should call actnow on 0800 800 935 – the event is free but places are limited.

Anyone who wants broadband is encouraged to register with actnow at www.actnowcornwall.co.uk.

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Editor's notes:

For further information contact Emma Lydon on 01209 722850.

The £20m actnow partnership is a demand-led initiative to encourage businesses in Cornwall to gain the support they need to move into the new broadband economy. Including over £7 million from Objective One, it is one of the largest private and public sector partnerships in Cornwall since Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly were granted Objective One status by the European Union in 2000. Its partners include Cornwall Enterprise, BT, The South West Regional Development Agency, Business Link, Cornwall College, Cornwall

Broadband Partnership and DEFRA.
Broadband operates at much higher speeds than a standard internet connection with consumer products typically 10 times faster and business products up to 40 times faster. Products can be ordered from a range of service providers.

Cornwall Broadband Partnership is a partnership of three leading IT companies based in the South West, comprising Concept Group, 1st Broadband (SW) and Microcomms. Through the partnership it is developing a wireless broadband network and offers a comprehensive portfolio of products and services that enable businesses to make full and secure use of the service.

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Sue Wolstenholme
Objective One Communications
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mob: 07973 813647
Tel: 01579 370991

lmroberts@cornwall.gov.uk

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