£50m better broadband roll-out now underway
CORNISH broadband provider Wildanet is celebrating the start of the £50 million roll-out of its new broadband network across the county.
The new hyperfast network is set to transform connectivity for hard-toreach areas of the county which were previously by-passed by the major providers.
It will be capable of delivering gigabit speeds, which are roughly 40 times faster than the average download speeds currently available in Cornwall.
Expanding the network across the whole county will, directly and indirectly, create up to 98 new jobs.
The first communities to benefit will be in Wildanet’s home town of Liskeard and the surrounding rural areas within the PL14 postcode, with about 6,000 premises expected to be able to receive the new service.
Work is already under way and should be completed in the Liskeard area in early autumn.
Ian Calvert, founder and chief executive of Wildanet, said: “We are delighted to be marking this milestone moment for Wildanet and for the many communities in Cornwall still struggling with poor connectivity and at risk of being left behind by the digital revolution. Fast, reliable broadband is an essential part of modern life as has been demonstrated more than ever in the last 12 months, when we have all become so much more dependent on our internet connections.
“With this trend likely to continue and a growing number of devices within the home, having a fast and reliable connection is going to become an increasingly important part of our dayto-day lives. We don’t want anyone left behind and our mission is to bridge the digital divide and ensure that all communities and businesses, however remote or rural across Cornwall, have access to the internet they need and deserve.”
The firm has been connecting homes and businesses in Cornwall since 2017, largely using fixed wireless technology to bring superfast broadband to communities otherwise limited
‘Fast reliable broadband is an essential part of modern life’ IAN CALVERT
by the more traditional, and slower, copper cable networks.
After early investment via Crowdcube and the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Investment Fund, at the end of last year Wildanet secured a £50 million investment from the Gresham House BSI Infrastructure Fund LP to enable it to roll out its new gigabitcapable broadband network across the county.
Sheryll Murray, MP for South East Cornwall, said: “Access to fast and reliable broadband is hugely important so it is great to see Wildanet beginning the installation of its new network in Liskeard, bringing the benefits of gigabit capable connectivity to the town and surrounding rural communities.”