Cornwall's vision for the future

‘Transforming Cornwall through ICT’

Cornwall has announced its vision for the future of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in Cornwall.

This includes increasing the accessibility and take up of broadband still further so that 100% of businesses and people – from schoolchildren to the elderly – are benefiting.

Despite Cornwall’s deeply rural geography, we have already spearheaded the creation of a county in which broadband is available virtually everywhere.  A large majority of local companies are now using the high speed internet technology to help their businesses grow. Over half the people in Cornwall are now using broadband and as bandwidth speeds increase and new applications develop, the future opportunities are immense.

Leading experts in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) have developed the future strategy for ICT in the county. Their objective of 'Transformation into an Information Society for All' can be found in the Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Economic Forum publication 'Strategy and Action'.

The cornerstones of the vision are:

1. To help 100% of businesses in Cornwall to connect to broadband and increase their profitability

The majority of businesses in Cornwall already have broadband, however we want to make sure every single business can benefit from the technology.  Smaller businesses and self employed people such as tradespeople, craftspeople, small producers and retail outlets can all save time and money with broadband.  

And many of the businesses that already have broadband have so far only scratched the surface of the opportunity.  There is also much more to be done in encouraging businesses to exploit the opportunities opened up by broadband to improve profitability and efficiency – for example in terms of new eBusiness models and flexible working.

2. To increase the take up of broadband so that there are opportunities for every household to get online

Cornwall wants to tackle the Digital Divide – the opportunity chasm which separates those people in the county that have broadband from those that do not. Around 30% of adults in the UK have no experience of using a computer and many homes do not have an internet connection. These people are cut off from access to information, goods and services as well as government services delivered via the internet.  One exciting thing about broadband is that for many it could open up the prospect of economic activity or greater prosperity – paving the way to online learning of new skills, new business creation and greater connectivity with others. For those in remote rural areas, those with disabilities or caring responsibilities that restrict their mobility, broadband is potentially a key that can unlock a new way of living – and generate new wealth in the county. For those that are seriously terrified of computers, other more familiar devices such as TV and mobile phones could be a way into the internet.

3. To make Cornwall a leading edge location for communications infrastructure

Broadband internet connectivity will soon be viewed alongside water and electricity as an important everyday utility, and we need to work towards it being universally available to every single business, man, woman and child in Cornwall.

However, today’s broadband will be tomorrow’s dial-up and Cornwall aims to ensure sufficient connection speeds across the county to allow businesses and people to lead rather than follow the content that is delivered through the Internet.  Applications such as HDTV and the needs of companies working from distributed locations will be more prevalent.  Higher bandwidths will enable wider access to applications such as eGovernment and telecare.  Additionally we will work to ensure a number of key locations have leading edge connectivity, enabling Cornwall’s main economic centres to compete with cities on a global basis

4. To make Cornwall the flexible working capital of the UK

Flexible working is the future of business and the killer application of broadband.  Through flexible working, businesses can use smart new approaches to increase competitiveness and improve employees’ work-life balance. This means ‘business anytime anywhere’ as broadband enables people to work from home, on the move or from a number of different locations.  We will drive the development of flexible working in the county, propelling Cornwall to a position where it can lay claim to being ‘The Flexible Working Capital of the UK’.

As a result, by 2015, Cornwall will be recognised as:

Business people talking with blue sky in background
BTSouth West of England Regional Development AgencyCornwall EnterpriseBusiness Link for Devon & CornwallThis project is part-funded by European Union Structural FundsCornwall CollegeCornwall County CouncilThe Objective One Parnership for Cornwall and Scilly Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs