Superfast rollout speeds up

Nine communities in east Cornwall are to receive superfast broadband at least three months earlier than projected, it has been announced today.

The high-speed technology is expected to start to become available in Liskeard, Callington, Launceston, Dobwalls, Bude, Kilkhampton, Marhamchurch (near Widemouth Bay), Drakewalls (near Gunnislake) and North Hill (near Coads Green) by December.

None of these areas had previously been due to ‘go live’ before the end of March 2012 – with Dobwalls scheduled for 2013.

Chris Ridgers, the portfolio holder for economy and regeneration for Cornwall Council, said: “We have been committed to starting the first main phase of the superfast broadband roll-out in the east of Cornwall, and I’m delighted that it’s coming sooner than previously expected to these communities.

“This is great news – it will give local businesses a much deserved boost and help the economy of south east Cornwall at a crucial time of the year.”

Jon Reynolds, BT’s south west regional director, said: “We are working hard to make faster broadband available to as many homes and businesses in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly as quickly as possible.

“As the engineering and survey work progressed we found it was possible to start in these exchange areas earlier than expected.”