Cornwall used to be considered a sleepy backwater where people came for holidays, ice-cream and pasties. However, now the region is set to become one of the best-connected places in the world.
BT and Cornwall Council have just announced a massive £132 million project – supported by ERDF European funding.
Matthew Clarke was there on behalf of KernowPods and Business Cornwall…
[audio:http://www.kernowpods.com/audio/broadband.mp3] DOWNLOAD
I don’t wish to be a kill joy, and I will admit my inability to get broadband at my home or business in Cornwall probably adds bias to my comments, but I have to ask how this will bring real benifit to Cornish residents and Businesses?
I have tried to obtain more detail of what BT have signed up to provide but my requests have either been unanswered or the answers I have received have not dealt with the question I posed.
It would appear to me that BT have managed to get EU funding to upgrade their ‘existing’ network. Details of how notspots and those who have poor internet connectivity will be helped are noticeable by their absence.
Providing FTTx is great as long as you are one of the people to be connected… Even in the BT / Cornwall council press release they hint that 15% (or so?) will not benifit from this. Even when you can get the service I have to ask what premium you will be charged?
I have to ask is this what Cornwall needs right now? High Tech businesses will locate where service is available in Cornwall. Cornwall is a major area for BT with Goonhilly still playing a significant role in the BT network. Higher up the list for me would be reliable Mobile Telephone Coverage closely followed by basic broadband (2Mb) available for all. I know satellite is available but the cost is significant and the service is restrictive (3GB / Month)
Nigel