BT praised for Superfast Cornwall fibre broadband scheme

BT's Superfast Cornwall project will teach network operators valuable lessons about rolling out fibre optic broadband in rural areas, according to Ovum analyst Matthew Howett.

The telecoms giant is aiming to extend next-generation broadband to at least 80 per cent of homes and businesses in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly by 2014.

Established last year, the initiative is a partnership between BT, Cornwall Council and the EU, and has a budget of around £132 million.

Speaking to V3, Mr Howett said the Superfast Cornwall programme is proof that the public and private sectors can work together to boost broadband access away from urban centres.

As such, it could provide useful guidance to the government's Broadband Delivery UK project and for other fibre broadband rollouts in challenging areas, he claimed.

"These aren't 'lab conditions', but rather real-life challenges which had been overcome with innovative thinking and some leading use of technologies," Mr Howett added.