High-speed hay-seeds get Devon broadband

A project designed to give West Country businesses a helping hand with their broadband has been launched today – with several millions of pounds worth of backing from the public and private sectors.

Broadband4Devon will give firms advice on broadband technology and business uses for their fat pipes, as well handing out cash grants. The three-year project will also aim to get more high speed internet access for Devon's rural areas.

The scheme will cost £12.5m and will be funded and supported by a mixture of private companies and public bodies, including Devon County Council, the South West of England Regional Development Agency and Plymouth and Exeter universities, with the lion's share of financing - £5.5m – coming from the European Objective Two programme. Chronos and BT will be acting as the project's technology partners.

It's hoped that the venture will create around 600 jobs in the county and that 1,000 more will be safeguarded as a result of the scheme.

Alun Michael, rural affairs minister, said in a statement: "Broadband opens up a wealth of new opportunities for businesses and individuals, particularly for those in more remote area. Evidence suggests that areas which have made successful use of the technology act as a catalyst for others, and I very much hope that this dynamic project will inspire others to follow their example."

Around 5,500 firms in the county are expected to benefit from the project. If all goes well with the scheme, a second phase will be rolled out to cover a greater area.