26
September
2013
|
23:00
Europe/London

Skipton company boosted by super-fast broadband

Julian Smith MP encourages local businesses to follow Principle Healthcare’s example and embrace fibre broadband 

Skipton and Ripon MP Julian Smith is to pay a fact-finding visit to a local firm, which is transforming its business through super-fast fibre broadband. 

The arrival of the high-speed technology has helped ensure the long term future of Principle Healthcare, one of the largest employers in the Craven District, on Airedale Business Centre in Skipton. 

The company, which produces vitamin and mineral supplements, also has an international arm with a manufacturing plant in Slovakia. 

It was one of the first businesses in the area to sign up to fibre broadband when it was enabled by Superfast North Yorkshire in July this year. 

Mike Davies, group chief executive officer, said: “Access to high speed broadband is vital for us. Before the arrival of fibre, relocation was something we would have had to seriously consider in the medium to long term future. 

“Now, however, we can continue to plan for the future at Airedale Business Centre, confident that this technology can help us expand the company in line with our aspirations.” 
Julian Smith, MP for Skipton and Ripon, said: “I am looking forward to seeing for myself how, in just a few months since connection, Principle Healthcare have benefitted from super-fast broadband. 

“High-speed digital connectivity is crucial for the long-term success of our economy and, for companies like Principle Healthcare, one of our leading businesses which is growing and exporting more and more, it is an essential development. More than 7,000 Skipton and South Craven homes and businesses can now benefit from high speed fibre broadband connections and this provides a huge boost for our economy.” 

Superfast North Yorkshire, an ambitious partnership led by North Yorkshire County Council and BT, aims to give 90 per cent of North Yorkshire’s homes and businesses access to fibre broadband by the end of 20141. 

As well as overseeing the roll-out and build of the new network, the Superfast North Yorkshire Team is keen to ensure that local communities understand and reap the benefits of high speed broadband by travelling the length and breadth of the county talking to residents and businesses. 

Mike Davies added: “We have experienced many benefits since moving onto fibre broadband. Improved communication between our sites in Skipton and Slovakia enables us to share information and make decisions faster through conference calls and video conferencing. We can communicate faster with customers and suppliers and we’re investigating how cloud solutions can benefit the business.” 

Councillor Simon Myers, Craven District Council’s lead member for Enterprising Craven, said: “We’re delighted that companies like Principle Healthcare have embraced this technology and continue to be a significant employer in the area. We’re working with Superfast North Yorkshire to help ensure that other businesses on Airedale and Snaygill and across Craven District make the most of the opportunities provided by fibre broadband.” 

Businesses on Airedale and Snaygill business parks are among the many areas of Skipton and South Craven that can already access fibre broadband. 

To find out more about the local roll-out and how it can benefit you, local businesses and residents are invited to a drop-in session to talk to the Superfast North Yorkshire team on 8th October at the Copper Dragon Brewery between 10am and 1pm. 

For more information please visit www.superfastnorthyorkshire.com. In areas that have already been upgraded, people should contact their broadband service provider to discover the options available to them. 

Superfast North Yorkshire has also developed a free programme of business support to help eligible small businesses in North Yorkshire to save time, money and improve efficiency. For more information on the business support programme come and talk to the Superfast North Yorkshire team on the 8th October or visit http://www.sfny.co.uk/.


ENDS 
Notes to editors 
The Superfast North Yorkshire project is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007 to 2013. The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme, which is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support local businesses and create jobs. For more information visit www.communities.gov.uk/erdf
2. Openreach, BT’s local network business, is primarily deploying fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC) technology, where the fibre runs from the exchange to a local roadside cabinet. FTTC offers download speeds of up to 80 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of up to 20Mbps and could deliver even faster speeds in the future. 
ISPs may use different speeds in their advertising. Individual line speeds will depend on network infrastructure and the service chosen by the ISP 


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

About Superfast North Yorkshire 
Superfast North Yorkshire was created in July 2012 following the signing of the contract between North Yorkshire County Council and BT, which will see a total fibre broadband investment in the county expected to reach around £70 million. 
North Yorkshire is the first county in the UK successfully to deploy Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) funds, which will be used to extend the roll-out of faster broadband across the county. The project will reach those areas outside of any commercial roll-out using a partnership approach to ensure all communities have access to the fastest possible broadband speeds. 
The Superfast North Yorkshire project is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007 to 2013. The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme, which is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support local businesses and create jobs. For more information visit www.communities.gov.uk/erdf


About BDUK 
Superfast Britain is a Government investment of £1.08bn in broadband and communication infrastructure across the UK. Run by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, this investment helps businesses to grow, creates jobs and will make Britain more competitive in the global race. The portfolio comprises three linked programmes: 

• £780m to extend superfast broadband to 95% of the UK by 2017 
• £150m to provide high speed broadband to businesses in 22 cities 
• £150m to improve quality and coverage of mobile phone and basic data network services 
Administered on behalf of Government by Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK), Superfast Britain is transforming Britain by promoting growth, enabling skills and learning, and improving quality of life. 
For further information: https://www.gov.uk/broadband-delivery-uk