By Nick Turner

Published at 06:45, Thursday, 10 May 2012

 Penrith residents have become the first people in Cumbria to enjoy the benefits of BT's super-fast broadband.

Rory Stewart, the MP for Penrith and the Border, today welcomed the arrival of super-fast broadband in the town, where more than 7,800 homes and businesses are set to benefit.

“The arrival of super-fast broadband in Penrith marks a major milestone for Cumbria. It helps put Cumbria at the cutting edge,” he said, adding: “Super-fast broadband technology is vital if our communities are to thrive and grow, especially during these economically challenging times.

“But Penrith is just the beginning for Cumbria. I am now pushing hard to ensure that the more remote parts of our county will also benefit from super-fast broadband in the near future.”

Mike Blackburn, BT’s North West regional director, said: “The arrival of super-fast broadband in Penrith is a huge boost for local businesses and households, and can transform their experience of the internet.

“Internet users with a super-fast connection can do much more online, all at the same time. Upload speeds are the fastest in the UK and can deliver a major boost to the competitiveness of local businesses, offering them new ways of working flexibly and allowing large data and video files to be sent and received almost instantly. Other benefits include wider use of high quality videoconferencing and faster back-up of computer systems.”

At home a family could be simultaneously downloading a movie, watching a TV replay service, surfing the internet and playing games online. A music track can be downloaded in about two seconds, a whole album in 30 seconds and a feature length HD movie in 10 minutes.

Further major investment is under way from BT with plans for its super-fast fibre network to pass nearly 65,600 more premises in Barrow-in-Furness, Carlisle, Dalton, Kendal and Workington.

Published by http://www.in-cumbria.com