An internet provider based in Cornwall has been given £50 million of investment to roll out a gigabit-capable broadband network across the Duchy.

Wildanet, based in Liskeard, has won the funding from the Gresham House British Strategic Investment Infrastructure Fund (BSIF) to expand its network.

The company said this should create 32 new full-time jobs in Cornwall, as well as more than 50 jobs indirectly over the next 12 months, and enable homes and businesses across the county to "enjoy the benefits of a good value, reliable internet connection."

Wildanet, which first set up in 2017, has also been backed by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Investment Fund since 2018.

The latest funding will provide fibre-to-the-premise ultrafast broadband, which used fibre-optic cables from the exchange to people's homes to offer speeds of up to a gigabit.

This will complement its fixed wireless network and should make higher speeds available to communities that can currently only access broadband linked to a copper phone line.

Ian Calvert, Wildanet’s CEO, said: “I’m delighted for Cornwall and for Wildanet that we have been able to secure this investment from Gresham House plc’s BSIF.

"It will enable us to expand our network across more of the county, deploy fibre-to-the-premise technology whilst expanding our fixed wireless network and ultimately create new jobs in Cornwall.

"The Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated the importance of having a fast and reliable broadband connection to both businesses and homes and we’ve already connected many highly satisfied Cornish customers.

"A fast, reliable internet connection means that many businesses and workers can operate from locations away from traditional business hubs, which will drive economic growth in Cornwall.

"With households forecast to double the number of internet connected devices in the next few years it’s clear that having a fast and reliable internet connection has become increasingly important.

"Our network helps us to support initiatives to deal with digital exclusion which is a serious issue for Cornwall, and we are in discussion with potential partners about ways to urgently help tackle it.”