Cornwall among first places in UK to get 'lightning-fast' broadband
Nine areas will be part of 'Project Gigabit' - from the Duchy to Durham
The first parts of the UK to get "lightning-fast" broadband have been revealed and Cornwall is on the list!
Work on the ÂŁ5 billion upgrade is due to start in 2022.
As many as 510,000 homes and businesses long plagued by sluggish broadband will be front of the queue, as part of the Government's Project Gigabit scheme.
Cumbria, Cambridgeshire, Dorset, Durham, Essex, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Tees Valley are also on the list.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport says companies will be able to bid for contracts on the project from spring, with "spades in the ground'' in the first half of next year.
One gigabit is the equivalent of 1,000 megabits, capable of downloading a high definition film in under a minute.
Plans for six more locations - Norfolk, Shropshire, Suffolk, Worcestershire, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight - are set to follow in June, covering a further 640,000 premises.
What is Project Gigabit?
Project Gigabit has been launched after the Government had to row back on its election pledge of providing the UK with full-fibre broadband by 2025, instead aiming for at least 85%.
"Project Gigabit is the rocket boost that we need to get lightning-fast broadband to all areas of the country.
"This broadband revolution will fire up people's businesses and homes, and the vital public services that we all rely on, so we can continue to level up and build back better from this pandemic".
Prime Minister, Boris Johnson
In addition, ÂŁ210 million worth of vouchers will be available once again from April 8th, allowing eligible residents to ask for up help of to ÂŁ1,500 and businesses ÂŁ3,500 towards the cost of installing gigabit-capable broadband.
Some ÂŁ110 million has been set aside to support GP surgeries, libraries and schools, while the Government also explores how satellite and 5G technology could be used to connect very hard to reach spots, starting with a call for evidence.
The development comes after regulator Ofcom announced that it will not impose price caps on full-fibre connections provided by firms, as part of new rules.
"Project Gigabit is our national mission to plug in and power up every corner of the UK and get us gigafit for the future".
Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden