MORE than 220 new jobs and 140 new businesses could be created in Tavistock over the next 15 years as a result of super-fast broadband which will be rolled out in the town next year.

The news that the vast majority of homes and businesses in Tavistock and many in Yelverton will have access to super-fast broadband in 2013 has been described as 'a huge breakthrough' for the area.

BT announced this week a further major investment in Devon, pledging to roll-out its £2.5-billion high-speed fibre broadband network to eleven new communities and 58,000 more homes and businesses, over 4,200 of which will be in Tavistock.

Town councillor John Sheldon, who has been campaigning for the upgrade, said it would bring a boost for businesses, internet users and the local economy, with potential to create new enterprises and local jobs.

He said: 'Everyone recognises the importance of super-fast broadband, not just for its contribution to the local economy and potential to create new businesses and jobs, but for every aspect of modern life.

'In the current economic climate, such an investment is to be greatly welcomed. But longer-term it's also essential that people and organisations take up this exciting technology and make the most of the new network.'

BID (Business Improvement District) manager for Tavistock Adam Fleet said: 'This has been a huge breakthrough for Tavistock. 

'Cllr John Sheldon, with some support from Tavistock BID, is to be congratulated on his astronomical efforts in securing super-fast broadband for Tavistock. 

'This single achievement is going to have a phenomenal, positive impact on the businesses operating in the town and will open the floodgates for new business to start up who depend on high broadband speeds.'

The latest investment will take the total number of homes and businesses in Devon able to connect to the fibre network to more than 280,000 and BT is keen to bring more communities within reach by working with the public sector.

Jon Reynolds, BT's South West regional director, said: 'Fibre broadband opens up a whole new, high speed world.

'This latest major investment will help Tavistock and Devon as a whole to overcome the current economic challenges and take full advantage of the upturn when it comes.

'Digital technology is fundamental to how we live and work – and in an increasingly connected world, high speed communications will become even more essential in the years ahead.

'Research suggests fibre broadband could give a £143-million boost to a typical town's economy and create 225 new jobs and 140 new businesses within 15 years.'

BT's local network business, Openreach, is making fibre broadband available to around two-thirds of UK homes and businesses on a commercial basis by the end of 2014, using a mix of fibre technologies, both of which offer speeds many times faster than the current UK average.

Internet users with a fibre broadband connection can do much more online, all at the same time.

A family can download a movie, watch a TV replay service, surf the net and play games online simultaneously.

A whole album can be downloaded in under 30 seconds and a feature length HD movie in under ten minutes, while high-resolution photos can be uploaded to Facebook in seconds.

The upload speeds are the fastest widely available to consumers in the UK, with large video and data files being sent almost instantly and hi-resolution photos posted online in seconds.

High quality voice and video calls mean businesses can keep in touch with customers while they cut down on travel.

Due to the current network topography, and the economics of deployment, it is likely that some premises within the selected exchange areas will not initially be able to access fibre-based broadband.

Alternative solutions for these locations are being investigated.