The future

.

Not got broadband?

.

actnow services

.

Flexible working

.

actnow reach

.

IT advice

.

Case studies

.

Broadband coverage in Cornwall

.

Visitors to Cornwall

.

About actnow

.

BT News Release

July 23, 2007

ISLES OF SCILLY LEADS
ENGLAND’S BROADBAND REVOLUTION

Nearly half of the remote islands’ homes and businesses now connected to high-speed technology

Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are switching to broadband technology faster than almost any other part of England.

Figures released today by BT reveal that Cornwall has the second highest take-up rate of ADSL broadband of any English county. Almost 46 per cent of Cornish homes and businesses are now connected to the high-speed technology – just behind Oxfordshire with 46.7 per cent.

But both counties have been surpassed by the tiny Isles of Scilly – an archipelago of Atlantic islands 28 miles South West of Lands End – which has achieved a take-up rate of 47.2 per cent. Somerset, too, is one of the nation’s leaders with a figure of 45.7 per cent.

In Cornwall, there are now more than 117,000 ADSL broadband connections, whilst in the Isles of Scilly the number of connections is about to reach the 600 mark.

The South West as a whole is also one of the most ‘switched on’ English regions with a take-up rate for ADSL broadband of 37.9 per cent – well ahead of the national average of 31.2 per cent.

Michael Dunn, BT West of England regional manager, said: “Who would have thought when ADSL broadband was introduced that relatively remote and rural areas such as Cornwall, Somerset and even the Isles of Scilly would have featured among the leaders?

“The success of broadband is a demonstration of the innovative nature of the businesses and people in these areas, who are using technology to overcome the disadvantages posed by their distance from many major centres.

“It is also a tribute to private and public sector broadband partnerships, such as actnow in Cornwall and Connecting Somerset, which have played such a vital role in helping local firms make the most of the technology.

“Broadband is making a major contribution to the economic success of local communities across the South West as businesses use the technology to find new markets and work more efficiently, whilst households capitalise on the limitless abilities of the internet for education, entertainment and shopping.”

Nigel Ashcroft, actnow project director, said: "Broadband has helped transform the lives of manypeople on the Isles of Scilly by overcoming some of the disadvantages of remoteness. Broadband has made possible online shopping, online banking and online learning, improving the quality of life and expanding horizons for both residents and businesses on the islands."

BT now has more than 900,000 wholesale broadband connections in the South West and more than 8.8 million across the UK, smashing its initial target of five million connections by the end of 2006. All BT exchanges in the South West are equipped with broadband.

Broadband has become the fastest growing consumer product in recent years easily outpacing the growth in televisions, CD players, video recorders or mobile phones.