08.01.05
actnow Provides Broadband for Ellen MacArthur Finish

actnow 4x4 at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall

actnow, the Objective One project set up to accelerate the take up of broadband in Cornwall, has formed a collaboration with 'Team Ellen', sailor Ellen MacArthur's management team, to provide broadband internet services upon her arrival in Falmouth.

actnow is providing internet access at broadband speeds to the vast media village that has appeared overnight in Falmouth to provide global coverage of the successful culmination of Ellen's world record attempt. The world's press will be able to file stories and pictures as though they were sitting in London or any other big city.

actnow launched its broadband demonstrator vehicle in the New Year. Specially rigged to include a broadband satellite, the actnow 4 x 4 is designed to demonstrate broadband to businesses, self-employed people and farms in rural and remote areas. actnow see it as pivotal to achieving their objective of bringing broadband to 100% of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Ranulf Scarbrough, actnow Programme Manager says "Our broadband demonstrator vehicle is the only one of its kind in the UK and this is a classic example of how flexible a resource it is.

"We offered to help out Team Ellen as we wanted to show the rest of the UK that Cornwall is leading the way in rural broadband deployment. Nowhere else would such a cutting edge technology tool be available."

actnow provides a unique financial and support package to bring broadband to businesses in Cornwall.

For further information please contact actnow, call 0800 800 935 or email info@actnowcornwall.co.uk.

* actnow is an Objective One project to encourage businesses in Cornwall to gain the support they need to move into the new broadband economy.

Editor's notes:

actnow is a demand led initiative to encourage businesses in Cornwall to gain the support they need to move into the new broadband economy. Including about £5.25 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 in 2000.

The partnership comprises Objective One Partnership Office, Cornwall Enterprise, BT, South West of England Regional Development Agency, Cornwall County Council, Business Link, Cornwall College 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

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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