24 September 2008
Project ACCESS successfully connects Cumbria
Advanced Communications Cumbria Enabling Sustainable
Services
Project Access, the groundbreaking £20 million scheme to supply
broadband and fast Internet connections across Cumbria has been
hailed a success, with 99.8% of businesses and citizens across the
sub-region now enjoying access to the high speed Internet
technology.
Launched in 2004 by the Northwest Regional Development Agency
(NWDA),
Project ACCESS was developed to promote the business benefits of
broadband and increase its take-up across the area. This included
the creation of a high-speed network for both pubic and private
sectors, addressing the digital divide that had previously
disadvantaged Cumbria and North Lancashire.
Final figures show that 16,612 businesses now have a broadband
connection representing 71.1% of the total number of businesses in
Cumbria and parts of North Lancashire. The business take-up of
broadband before the project was just 7%.
A dedicated marketing team worked closely with businesses to
promote the benefits of broadband in the project area and were
crucial to highlighting the benefits of the service.
30% of Cumbrian businesses believe that since adopting broadband
their number and range of customers has increased, while 24% of
businesses within the region believe that broadband has directly
made their businesses more profitable. 27% also connect a growth in
business to the adoption of broadband.
Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive, NWDA said:
“The principal objective of Project ACCESS was to deliver a
world class telecommunications network to Cumbria and parts of
North Lancashire; however the benefits reach far beyond increasing
productivity. The perception of the sub-regional area in which to
do business has improved, as too have the ICT skills of staff, many
who also benefit from the opportunity of mobile working. Sectors
that were not previously viable in the area are now thriving such
as digital and creative, while industries supported by the
technology such as tourism have thrived.”
For further information visit www.nwda.co.uk
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Notes to editors:
For further information please contact Shelley Tattersall, Press
Officer on 01925 400256 or mobile 07500 128482 or shelley.tattersall@nwda.co.uk
For urgent out of hours press enquiries please call 01925
400259.
For further information and to view previous press releases visit
us at www.nwda.co.uk/press
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the
economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is
responsible for:
• Supporting business growth and encouraging
investment
• Matching skills provision to employer needs
• Creating the conditions for economic growth
• Connecting the region through effective transport and
communication infrastructure
• Promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life