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Cornwall’s business leaders honour Wildanet with Game Changer Award

20/12/22

Cornwall-based broadband provider Wildanet has been honoured by Cornwall Chamber of Commerce for the significant impact it has made in transforming connectivity for the county, its businesses and communities.

Chamber members voted overwhelmingly for Wildanet to receive the organisation’s 2022 Game Changer Award.

It comes at the end of a year which has seen Wildanet catapult the issue of digital connectivity for Cornwall and other rural areas on to the regional and national agenda. At the same time, it has accelerated the roll-out of its own gigabit-capable fibre and wireless network to towns and villages across Cornwall and Devon, and the wider Southwest.

The company has also celebrated the official opening of its new Westbourne House headquarters in Liskeard, following an extensive refurbishment project, developed and launched an exciting new brand and website and has seen its workforce grow to more than 130 people.

Kim Conchie, Chief Executive of Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, said: “The entire team at Cornwall Chamber of Commerce is delighted to be presenting this award to Wildanet.

 

“There is an exciting mission at the heart of the company and real energy driving their own business and the highly valued role they are playing as a partner and advocate for the Chamber and for Cornwall.

 

“Helen Wylde in particular has been hugely influential in our business network and we are extremely grateful for her support. We look forward to working together with her and the entire team at Wildanet on future collaborative projects for the benefit of Cornwall and its businesses.”

Wildanet has a clear mission is to bring fast, reliable internet to homes and businesses in communities throughout Cornwall and the South West, with a vision of eroding digital inequality, removing the digital divide where it exists and working tirelessly to deliver digital connectivity to all.

Earlier this year Wildanet hosted an event at Parliament, backed by the region’s MPs, at which it unveiled the Connecting Cornwall Report. The Independent research commissioned by Wildanet highlighted the extent of the digital divide in Cornwall and the South West, and the value to communities and the economy of rolling out gigabit capable broadband.

On the ground, this year has seen Wildanet’s work to bring gigabit-enabled broadband already completed in Liskeard and Dobwalls, and well underway in Torpoint, Callington, Launceston, Wadebridge and Bude in Cornwall.

Wildanet also announced it would be bringing its expertise and experience to extending high speed broadband for rural communities in Devon, beginning with connecting up to 6,000 homes in Totnes and Dartington, and marking the start of an ambitious expansion by Wildanet across the South West.

Wildanet Chief Executive, Helen Wylde, said: “We are honoured to receive the Game Changer Award from Cornwall Chamber members. It reflects the hard work and commitment of the whole team at Wildanet in taking forward our vision to extend high quality digital services to rural areas.

 

“We believe every person, business and community should have the freedom to access the opportunities high speed broadband provides and that no-one should be forgotten or left behind by the digital revolution because of where they live or the standard of service they receive.

 

“We are delighted that the Chamber shares our vision and we value highly the partnership we have developed and are continuing to grow.”