Cornwall-based provider Wildanet has received a £36 million award from the UK government to extend high-speed broadband to thousands of rural premises.
These contracts will allow Wildanet to deliver full-fibre connectivity to historically underserved communities across Cornwall. Up to 19,250 homes and businesses are expected to be connected under the programme.
Helen Wylde, Chief Executive Officer of Wildanet, said:
“This is excellent news for remote communities in Cornwall as we continue to roll out full-fibre broadband across non-urban areas, bringing the economic and social benefits that reliable, gigabit-capable connectivity enables.
Government funding will help revitalize Cornwall’s rural communities and provide residents and businesses with access to opportunities made possible by gigabit broadband. It also sends a positive message to remote communities across the country that still lack the connectivity many of us rely on every day.
Wildanet is committed to delivering this project responsibly, using public funds awarded for these vital infrastructure works. As a company rooted in Cornwall, we believe this investment will support local economic growth, connect more people and businesses, and make digital services more accessible so everyone can benefit.”
The award is part of the government’s wider Project Gigabit initiative, a £5 billion programme aimed at expanding future-proof broadband across the UK.
Digital Infrastructure Minister Julia Lopez added:
“From Tintagel to Tredavoe, we are investing millions to connect nearly 20,000 homes and businesses across Cornwall with lightning-fast broadband. This will create growth and new opportunities for people living in the region’s rural communities.
The announcement forms part of the government’s flagship Project Gigabit programme, which aims to bring fast, reliable and future-ready broadband to rural and remote communities across the UK.”
This additional government funding complements more than £50 million that Wildanet has already invested to extend ultrafast broadband across Cornwall and Devon.
Wildanet states its 10Gbps-capable network can deliver speeds up to 100 times faster than the national average, offering a substantial upgrade for connected homes and businesses.
(Image Credit: Wildanet)
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