BT launches FTTP project in Cornwall

Sept. 30, 2010
SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 -- BT and Cornwall Council have announced a £132 million project to bring fiber to the premises (FTTP) to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The project will benefit tens of thousands of local businesses, create 4,000 new local jobs, and protect a further 2,000, BT and the council say.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 -- BT and Cornwall Council have announced a £132 million project to bring fiber to the premises (FTTP) to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The project will benefit tens of thousands of local businesses, create 4,000 new local jobs, and protect a further 2,000, BT and the council say.

The project aims to give between 80 and 90 percent of local businesses and homes access to fiber-based broadband by 2014. FTTP technology will feature heavily, with half of local businesses and homes expected to have access to it and broadband speeds of up to 100 Mbps.

BT said the £132 million project sets an example to other rural areas, showing what can be achieved through partnering and public funding. BT is providing £78.5 million and there will be European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Convergence investment of up to £53.5 million.

Alec Robertson, Leader of Cornwall Council, said, “Building on the success of the actnow project, the introduction of next generation super-fast broadband has the potential to transform the local economy over the next 20 years and we’re delighted to be working closely with BT, the South West RDA, and the Convergence Programme in bringing this to Cornwall.

“Local businesses will be given an all important head start through early access to world class communications and this will dramatically increase their competitiveness. The high speeds on offer will attract new business investment into Cornwall, creating thousands of new job opportunities.”

Ian Livingston, chief executive of BT, said: “The ‘final third’ of the UK is undoubtedly challenging to reach with fiber but this project shows it is possible. Our door remains open to others who are keen to work with us to bring fiber broadband to their areas.”

Businesses and homes outside the fiber footprint will also receive faster speeds than today through a mix of alternative technologies such as advanced copper, wireless, and satellite broadband. According to a press statement, “These technologies are more suitable to deploy than fiber broadband in the remotest and hardest to reach locations.”

The roll-out will begin immediately and run until 2014 with the first customers being connected early next year. The areas to benefit will be announced on a rolling basis and will be agreed by the project partners in consultation with other broadband service providers. The new network will be available on an open, wholesale basis to all communications providers ensuring local businesses and homes benefit from a competitive market.