Fibre broadband tipped to change lives in Cornwall

Fibre optic broadband will have a major impact on the lives of people in Cornwall, according to Nigel Ashcroft of the Cornwall Development Company (CDC).

Under the Superfast Cornwall project, CDC is working with BT and the EU to deliver next-generation broadband to at least 80 per cent of homes and businesses across the county and the Isles of Scilly.

Mr Ashcroft, CDC's Superfast Cornwall programme director, said the technology has "the power to change people's lives".

"Everything that people do online becomes so much quicker and easier," he explained.

Highlighting some of the benefits of fibre broadband connectivity, the CDC chief said it will allow faster downloading of films and TV programmes, online gaming and keeping in touch with friends and family via Skype and Facetime.

It will also allow four family members to connect to the internet at once using different devices, rather than forcing three of them to wait while the other logs on to a slow broadband service, he insisted.