21.09.04
Minister Visits World Leading Business Project in Camborne

Rt Hon Paul Boateng MP celebrated the success of actnow, the Objective One project which is driving take up of broadband amongst businesses in Cornwall when he visited the project offices at Tolvaddon Energy Park in Camborne on Monday 20th September.

Paul Boateng is MP for Brent South and was appointed Chief Secretary to the Treasury in May 2002.

He was taken on a tour of the state of the art actnow offices at Tolvaddon Energy Park and met the staff.

He also discovered the project's secrets of success from Project Manager, Ranulf Scarbrough.

A £20 million pound Objective One project, actnow is widely regarded as the most successful public private broadband partnership in the UK and growth of broadband in Cornwall is now ahead of any other rural area.

Over 4000 businesses in the Cornwall are already supported through the actnow project.

Paul Boateng said "With the help of project such as actnow, businesses in Cornwall can now face the future with confidence. actnow has brought Cornwall to the leading edge of broadband usage amongst businesses."

John Berry, Managing Director of Cornwall Enterprise, the lead partner for the project, said "The actnow project is a fundamental building block in creating a high value economy in Cornwall. What gives me confidence is that Cornish businesses have taken up the challenge so avidly. This bodes well for the future of Cornwall."

Nigel Ashcroft, actnow Project Director, says "We are thrilled that Paul Boateng has shown such interest in actnow. Creating Broadband Britain has been a prime objective for this government and in Cornwall we are well on the way to making that dream a reality.

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Editor's notes:

The actnow programme is a demand led initiative to encourage businesses in Cornwall to gain the support they need to move into the new broadband economy.

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.

Project partners are Cornwall Enterprise, BT, Cornwall County Council, South West of England Regional Development Agency, Cornwall County Council, Business Link, Cornwall College, DEFRA, the Cornwall Broadband Partnership and Objective One.

For further information, call Kelly Hitcham of actnow on 0800 800 935

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Sue Wolstenholme
Objective One Communications
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01579 370991
lmroberts@cornwall.gov.uk

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