Bude is set to become one of Cornwall’s best–connected towns as Wildanet expands its 2Gig ultra full fibre network
Bude is about to become one of the best-connected towns in the South West, with full fibre broadband coming to more than 2,000-plus homes.
Residents and businesses in Bude are set to get access to Cornwall’s fastest broadband, as Cornish broadband provider Wildanet brings its ultra-fast full fibre network to the town for the first time.
More than 2,000 homes and business across Bude and the surrounding areas will be able to access speeds of up to 2Gbps – amongst the fastest available anywhere in the UK – ending years of reliance on slower, less reliable connections and giving the town a genuinely future-proofed connection.
For families juggling streaming, remote working, gaming and online learning across multiple devices, the difference will be immediate. For local businesses, it opens up digital opportunities that simply weren’t possible before.
The rollout, funded through a combination of the UK Government’s Project Gigabit programme and Wildanet’s own investment, is already under way, with the first properties already being connected.
When complete, 2,318 homes and businesses will be connected across Bude, Stratton and surrounding villages including Hersham, Grimscott and Marhamchurch. The project is expected to be completed by late summer.
Headquartered in Liskeard, Wildanet is Cornwall’s broadband provider with locally based customer service teams, focused on delivering reliable and sustainable gigabit-capable broadband connectivity across Cornwall and Devon. The expansion into Bude builds on Wildanet’s wider full-fibre rollout which has already seen more than 50,000 connections enabled across the region, through a combination of private investment and publicly funded initiatives.
UK Telecoms Minister, Liz Lloyd, said:
“Through Project Gigabit, we’re working with Wildanet to boost local economies here, across Cornwall and beyond – bringing some of the fastest broadband speeds in the UK to communities that were once left behind.
“This is about more than faster internet. With reliable, high-speed connectivity people can build businesses, apply for better jobs and stay connected with the people and services that matter to them.”
Simon Hughes, Wildanet Chief Commercial Officer, said: “Bringing Cornwall’s fastest broadband to Bude is a significant milestone for us and for the local community. This expansion is about more than just faster speeds – it is about giving the town and its residents the reliable, future-proofed digital infrastructure they need in everyday life and work.“
“Through a combination of our own investment and Project Gigabit support we are continuing to deliver high-quality connectivity to communities that have historically been underserved. Bude is a vibrant and growing town and, as Cornwall’s homegrown broadband provider, we’re excited and proud to be supporting its future connectivity needs.”
Ben Maguire, MP for North Cornwall, said: “This is fantastic news for Bude and the surrounding area. I’ve had many constituents reach out about poor connectivity, which in rural and isolated areas like ours can leave them completely disconnected.
“For years, North Cornwall has been at a disadvantage when it comes to digital connectivity, missing out on opportunities that people in cities and larger towns in other parts of our country take for granted. Full fibre broadband of this quality changes that.
“Having Cornwall’s fastest broadband on our doorstep puts Bude firmly on the map, and is excellent news for those who desperately need high-speech connectivity, including local business looking to grow, farmers filling out increasingly online forms and applications, and many others. This is exactly the kind of investment North Cornwall needs.”
“I’m delighted that Wildanet, a Cornish company, is bringing this service, and I’m excited to see the difference it makes to residents and businesses alike. This is a really important step in making sure the Duchy is connected, competitive, and ready for the future.”
As construction progresses, residents and businesses in Bude will be able to register their interest and check availability, with connections going live on a phased basis as the network is completed. Wildanet, founded in Cornwall, has rapidly expanded its full fibre network in recent years, with a focus on rural and hard-to-reach areas.
More information about Wildanet’s new service in Bude can be found at: www.wildanet.com/bude
