More businesses going faster

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According to latest research, the roll out of superfast broadband across Cornwall has created or safeguarded “at least 1,400 jobs”.

About 6,000 Cornish firms are now using fibre optic broadband – and the number is continuing to grow rapidly with more than 200 Cornish firms joining up every month.

The Superfast Cornwall partnership’s latest evaluation report, based on a survey of more than 220 Cornish businesses which have been using fibre broadband for 12 months or longer, estimates that 611 jobs have already been created and  807 safeguarded.

L-R: Nigel Ashcroft (Superfast Cornwall Programme Director for Cornwall Development Company),  Communications Minister Ed Vaizey; George Eustice, MP; and Ranulf Scarbrough (Superfast Cornwall Programme Director for BT)
L-R: Nigel Ashcroft (Superfast Cornwall Programme Director for Cornwall Development Company), Communications Minister Ed Vaizey, George Eustice MP, and Ranulf Scarbrough (Superfast Cornwall Programme Director for BT)

More than half of businesses surveyed (52%) reported that fibre broadband had enabled them to grow, while 79% indicated that fibre broadband had saved them time or money and 55% said that the technology had allowed them to work in new and different ways.

About half (49%) indicated that it had allowed employees to work more efficiently from home or remotely.

Communications minister, Ed Vaizey, who was in Cornwall on a fact finding visit to the Superfast Cornwall partnership, said he was impressed by the number of firms joining the ‘superfast broadband revolution’.

He said: “Superfast broadband is a key part of the present and future success of Cornwall and the UK as a whole.

It is heartening to see the way Cornish firms are embracing the new technology, finding ways to make it work effectively for them and creating jobs. They are sending the message loud and clear that Cornwall is very much open for new business.”

Among the expanding local businesses Vaizey met was St Ives-based PBWC Architects, which won the Best Use of Superfast Broadband category at this year’s Cornwall Business Awards.

Director Rachael Gaunt said: “Superfast fibre broadband has been fantastic for our business. It has allowed us to become industry leaders and develop new markets, leading to increased profitability and new jobs. We are actively recruiting an additional two members of staff as a direct result of fibre broadband and new technology.”