Business Broadband

Over the last six years, thanks to European funding through Objective One, the actnow project in Cornwall helped more than 10,000 businesses to make the most of broadband. Today's Cornish businesses are working in a way that would have been inconceivable six years ago - selling goods and services worldwide, using ICT to reach new markets, work flexibly and increase productivity.  In 2010 Cornwall will be one of the first areas in the UK to receive Next Generation Broadband, ensuring superfast broadband coverage to businesses in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly - transforming the economic performance of the county and making it one of Europe's best connected regions.

Bridging the Gap with Broadband

Companies like Cornwall based email marketing agency Jarrang now use broadband to work flexibly from different locations around the UK and the globe, increasing productivity and reducing office overheads.  Managing Director Stafford Sumner says: "Although we are based in Cornwall, 70% of our business comes from outside the county and we're also able to work overseas, allowing us to turn around client projects faster than before by taking advantage of time zone differences. Everything is being linked to our UK operation through the use of cutting edge technology and services like VoIP to present a top class service interface to the world."

Meanwhile, Altcom has been based at Penzance since its launch in 1995. The directors and staff have fused their world-class expertise in geophysics with their strengths in software development, creating a unique global business that provides ICT consultancy and software to clients in the oil and gas industries worldwide. Director John Cowles, says 'Our client base is truly global. This creates its own opportunities and challenges and, for us, using ICT to enable flexible working allows us to overcome some of the challenges. For example, most of our clients are in different time zones and so to speak to a client in Japan we need to get up especially early. All our seven staff now have broadband at home and we have a Virtual Private Network, so it is just as easy to work from home or remotely as it in the office. This clearly makes it easier for us to provide a top notch service to clients worldwide 24/7'.

Businesses use of broadband in Cornwall is now at the forefront of the UK, and with the benefits of Next Generation Broadband Access communications in the county will remain at the cutting edge of technology. More info.