Superfast broadband is now taken to mean broadband speeds of 30+Mbps and ultrafast broadband speeds of 100+Mbps. However definitions do change over time.

Gigabit broadband means a broadband speed of 1+Gbps (i.e. 1000+Mbps).

With FTTP (Fibre to the Premises), the fibre-optic cable runs all the way into the premises, giving very fast speeds of up to 1Gbps (1000Mbps).

FTTP is also known as Full Fibre.

With FTTC (Fibre to the Cabinet), the fibre-optic cable runs as far as the green roadside cabinet and your copper telephone line is then used to deliver the last leg of the service. Speeds of up to 80Mbps are possible with this service.

With FTTC, your maximum speed will depend very much on the length of your copper telephone line from the cabinet. The vast majority of lines will support a maximum ‘superfast’ speed of 30Mbps. You can still upgrade your service if you are further away from the cabinet and get speeds of between 2-30Mbps. Although these are not ‘superfast’ speeds by the new definition, they will provide uplift in speeds for the vast majority of premises.

The term ‘fibre broadband’ is taken to include both superfast speeds of 30Mbps and slower speeds that can be delivered over the FTTC network of 2-30Mbps.

Please refer to the Getting Connected page.

This will depend on your particular service provider. There is some further guidance, including what happens to your existing phoneline and phone number, here.

Although you may get a very fast speed at your router, WiFi speeds will slow down, sometimes considerably, in other rooms. This isn’t just a particular problem in old stone buildings with thick walls, newer buildings may have foil lined walls to help with insulation causing speeds to suffer, and any larger property will notice a reduction in WiFi speeds as you move away from the main router.. The best way to overcome this is to extend the network throughout the building. This can be done in three main ways (i) ideally with Ethernet network cable from the main router, (ii) using powerline adaptors which can use the mains electricity circuit, or (iii) using WiFi extenders, which will pick up a weak WiFi signal and amplify it. Please see our Staying Superfast leaflet for more information.

A large number of Industrial Estates and Business Parks are covered by fibre broadband. Please see the list here for further information.

If you believe there are fibre enabled Industrial Estates or Business Parks not covered on this list, please email us info@superfastcornwall.org and let us know.

At the end of 2020 there were c45,000 premises that could not get 30+Mbps superfast broadband, of which c13,000 were on sub-15Mbps speeds.

If you can only get very slow speeds you can investigate alternative options including wireless broadband, satellite broadband and mobile broadband over 4G network - please see our Alternative Solutions page for further information, including the funding available towards the costs of this.

In some circumstances you may want to consider using a 4G (mobile) signal to provide you with broadband. Although this is not part of the Superfast Cornwall programme, the main mobile providers do have 3G and 4G services which at times provide coverage in areas beyond the fibre footprint. You can investigate coverage here

Weaker signals can be boosted by using an external antenna or a directional internal antenna such as a WiBE or EE Home Broadband Box.

Most mobile broadband packages have a data cap. If you are unsure how much data you are likely to need, there is a data calculator tool which may be useful to you.

If you require any further information please contact the Superfast Cornwall office on 01872 324991.

Fibre on Demand (FoD) or FTTP on Demand (FTTPoD) will allow some businesses connected to a fibre enabled cabinet to order a direct fibre to the premises (FTTP) connection. This is a premium service that will come with a significant connection charge.

You can check whether FTTPoD is available by using the BT Wholesale checker

FOD is a product that is available from Openreach to service providers. At present we are only aware of a few providers that are choosing to make this available to end users, the full list is here towards the end of the page.

If you are a business with less that 30Mbps broadband, this could be a solution to boost your speeds, please contact us to discuss possible funding options.

No, fibre broadband will not just automatically switch on. To get fibre broadband in Cornwall, you'll need to first check your line and then place an order with your chosen Internet Service Provider (ISP) – please see our 'Getting Connected' page.

The best thing to do initially is to run some speed tests using a checker like www.speedtest.net. You should try and do the tests by plugging into the router if possible, if you have to use WiFi then run the test in the same room as your wireless router. You should run several tests at different times of day, some at quieter times early morning and others at the busiest time of day in late afternoon and evening. Remember that broadband does not guarantee your fastest speed all the time, and will tend to slow down at the busiest times of day. There are some other useful tips on our Staying Superfast fact sheet that you can work through.

If it does look like your speeds are slow due to a fault with the connection, you will need to contact your service provider.

The telecoms industry is aiming to towards retiring the ‘analogue’ telephone lines (also known as PSTN) by end 2025. Your phone service would then be delivered as a digital service, which means it would be delivered over a broadband connection (sometimes referred to as an IP service).

A broadband connection doesn’t have to be that fast to support a digital voice service, so it can be delivered over copper-based broadband services as well as full fibre broadband.

One common concern is that a digital phone service would not work in a power cut, unless a battery back-up is available. Service providers should provide such a back-up for vulnerable customers, particularly in areas of poor mobile signal.

A good general source of further information is available at www.futureofvoice.co.uk

Mbps (or Mb/s) stands for Megabits per second, the way in which internet speeds are measured. One bit means one piece of basic information, and one Megabit is a million pieces of information.

Cloud computing is when software and data are no longer hosted on your computer, but remotely at a data centre, which means you can access the 'cloud' wherever and whenever you need it, and from any internet enabled device (laptops, tablets, phones etc.) Fibre broadband will allow more businesses and homes in Cornwall to take advantage of cloud computing, bringing cost and time-saving benefits, plus greater flexibility when it comes to how, when and where you access the internet.

You're probably using cloud computing already, without even realising it, through things like email accounts, Facebook, You Tube and Google Maps. Some cloud computing services are free and some are available as a pay-as you-go option.

For businesses in particular, cloud computing offers a lower cost solution, keeping technology-based capital expenditure down. Users can access the most sophisticated software and applications without having to purchase them outright.

There are a range of cloud computing services available, here are just a few examples:

• Amazon EC2 - virtual IT
• Google App Engine - application hosting
• Google Apps - software as a service
• Apple MobileMe - network storage

Other business specific applications, like CRM (Customer Relationship Management) systems, are available from a number of suppliers.

A virtual private network (VPN) is a computer network that enables remote offices or individual employees to get secure access to their organisation's network. This network uses encryption and other security mechanisms to ensure only authorised users can access the network and that data cannot be intercepted.

Companies and organisations use a VPN to communicate confidentiality over the internet, sending text, voice, video or other data to remote workers, offices or partners around the globe. Fibre broadband in Cornwall means businesses can utilise a VPN, enabling greater flexibility, including home working, which can bring many benefits, in terms of productivity, cost savings and work-life balance.

12 hours of expert business support to assess and recommend digital solutions that enhance your business operations.  We have specialist Business Digital Consultants that work 1-2-1 with you.

Fully funded broadband connection solutions if your current download speed is below 30Mbps.  We can offer 100% funding to cover a new connection.

Grants of up to 80% of costs (£5,000 max grant) towards new digital solutions that help you work cheaper, faster and better.

To be eligible for the Superfast 3 – Inclusive Growth programme, your business must:

• Be based in Cornwall or the Isles of Scilly
• Have no more than 250 employees and less than €50m turnover per year
• Be actively engaged in an economic activity
• Be formed as a sole trader, partnership, company or other recognised structure
• Be a late adopter of digital technology- this means that you are not yet using a specific digital solution that will improve or diversify your business in some way that leads to growth
• Be in an eligible sector. Most businesses are included, but we can only support farming business with diversification and cannot support retail businesses with physical infrastructure but can assist with solutions to trade online (if you are applying from a farming or retail business, please discuss your requirements first with a member of the team).
• Our aim is to reach businesses that cannot get support from other projects, so we will check this and may refer you on to another more suitable project for support

In addition, all projects must be able to demonstrate that the Superfast 3 investment will:

• enable a step-change in your business
• not be used to replace existing items on a like-for-like basis (including computers which are just a higher specification because they're newer, but will still serve the same purpose as an existing older computer)

Superfast 3 cannot support pre-start businesses or businesses that are officially established but are still at the point of purchasing the initial equipment to set up the business, e.g. standard office/computer equipment.  You must have a business that is currently trading.

However, we can support applications from businesses that are less than 12 months old provided it can be demonstrated that the business is currently trading.  If your business is less than 12 months old you will also need to submit the following with your application:

• Financial forecast for your first year of business and ideally for 3 years (in the form of a business plan or business case with financial forecasting.)
• A good description of your business and why there is a market for it (gap in the market, demand greater than supply, no other businesses doing anything similar etc…)

We have experienced Business Digital Consultants that work with you to assess how you can develop your business with new digital solutions.  Support is typically provided through 9 individual hours of face to face support (either physically or via video conferencing) and attendance of a 3hr workshop chosen by you from a range of topics.  An initial meeting will help clarify your priorities and tailor the information, advice and guidance to be provided.

If your business is currently receiving speeds of less than 30Mbps, you should initially check the Openreach website https://www.openreach.com/fibre-broadband to see what the fastest expected speed is. If this is less than 30Mbps, you can apply for a grant to fully fund the cost of installation and equipment towards an alternative broadband solution. Further information is available here https://www.superfastcornwall.org/getting-connected/alternative-solutions/. You can email info@superfastcornwall.org for an application form or for further assistance about broadband grants.

There are many digital solutions that can benefit your business both internally and externally.  This could include moving from analogue systems to digital for better customer management, as well as improving digital communications to attract more business.

Some examples include, a first website (or additional functionality like e-commerce or training platform to an existing website), digital marketing, setting up systems in the ‘cloud’, accountancy solutions, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, and even equipment such as a digital camera/tripod etc where there is a business application..  However, this is not an exhaustive list and we are keen to hear what will make a difference for your business.

A Business Grant can cover up to 80% of costs up to a maximum of £5,000.

Yes, if you have had less than £170k of public funding within the past 3 years, you can still apply. If your organisation has received any Public sector funding over the last 3 years you will need to provide details of the funding so we can confirm eligibility. If you have previously received public funding, you should have received confirmation in writing confirming the funding source. We will use this information to ensure you have not exceeded State Aid funding limits and are eligible for any help the Superfast Cornwall programme can offer you.

We require a minimum of one quote to be submitted with your application.  Quotes should be on the supplier’s headed paper, dated and addressed to you as a response to your initial request for a quote stating what you need. If the quote is an internet screenshot this must contain the date, VAT registration details and delivery charge information. Quotes can also be a screen shot from a website or email threads of correspondence but must contain all the above quote information.

Although we only require one quote with your application, it is prudent to obtain a few quotes to get the best value for money.

The work must be paid for after you have been approved for a grant, but before you claim your grant. This means we need to see you are able to cover the up-front costs of the work before a decision can be made on your application. This is typically achieved by providing a bank statement showing sufficient funds to cover the cost of work as described in your application. If you have insufficient funds available and are concerned you cannot access the grant support, please let us know so that we can look at options that work for you.

If it does look like your speeds are slow due to a fault with the connection, you will need to contact your service provider.

If you are receiving a broadband speed of below 15Mbps, there is another scheme running which is funded by Cornwall Council. This is the Superfast Cornwall Grant Scheme and offers up to £1,700 per property towards an alternative broadband solution. This can be for both residential and business properties. Further information is available here https://www.superfastcornwall.org/getting-connected/alternative-solutions/.