Superfast internet contributing to Cornwall's tech boom
Cornwall is fast becoming the Silicon Valley equivalent in the UK after coming second in turnover growth in a recent report.
The 2016 Tech Nation report, put together with input from Software Cornwall, a network of tech businesses, shows that Cornwall is outpacing other, more urbanised regions of the UK.
With a 153 per cent increase in turnover growth, second only to Southampton's 180 per cent and well ahead of London's 101 per cent, Cornwall is rapidly becoming an attractive place to set up tech businesses in the UK.
Superfast connectivity was listed as a key contributing factor to the sharp increase in growth. With speeds of 300Mbps in Penzance, thanks to investment in network infrastructure over the years, superfast connectivity is no longer the preserve of built up areas in the UK.
Belinda Waldock, director of Software Cornwall, commented on the report: “Cornwall is dissolving the urban myth, driven by superfast connectivity, a pipeline for delivering tech skills and a strong collaborative community.”
Other key contributors, such as access to European funding improving the standard of jobs in the region, as well as collaboration between tech businesses in the region, were also listed in the report.
Paul Massey, chair of the Local Enterprise Partnership's Employment and Skills Board was pleased with the outcome of the report. He said: “Cornwall stands out in this report as the second highest growth area in the UK for digital industries, and is fast becoming the California of the UK as the place to be for tech-based businesses.”
However, the report also highlights some continuing challenges for Cornwall. A lack of suitable employees with the necessary skills tops the lists of concerns, with 68 per cent of local tech businesses listing this as a growing concern. Lack of access to funding and a general unawareness of the tech industry in the region were other issues.
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(Image: Kainet)
