BT's broadband blitz
BT has announced plans for what it claims to be the biggest fibre optic rollout in the UK so far, with 90 percent of homes in Cornwall set to be hooked up to super speedy broadband in 2014.
It is hoped the project could act as a blueprint for future rural schemes and is bankrolled by BT and the EU coming to around £132m. It is thought the £53m the EU is putting into the pot is the largest investment of its kind made by the Union.
The government said the plans will contribute to its 2015 broadband targets. Communications minister Ed Vaizey reportedly said: "The government wants the UK to have the best broadband network in Europe by 2015, so today's announcement is a big step towards that goal."
BT has been criticised for neglecting some homes and businesses in hard-to-reach areas and is reportedly under pressure to roll out better broadband to almost one third of homes that under current plans will not get next-generation broadband services.
BT's CEO Ian Livingston, reportedly said: "The final third of the UK is undoubtedly challenging to reach with fibre but this project shows it is possible," and added that the project will be copied in other parts of Britain.
The EU has set a target for its member states to provide every citizen with a minimum broadband speed of 30 Mbps by 2020, but the UK risks missing this benchmark as it has been slow to roll out basic 2Mbps to homes by 2015.
