Following the preparation of a baseline report in 201, SERIO and Buckman Associates recently completed work on the project's midterm evaluation. The report was launched at a media briefing in London on 11th November and is the first of its kind to explore the economic impact of fibre broadband on British SMEs.

The research found that superfast broadband is benefiting businesses through enabling growth, saving time and money, and generating new sales, benefits which are leading to positive job outcomes. Vice-President of the European Commission Neelie Kroes, said: 'This research has real international significance because it starts to vindicate what we've said all along - that fibre broadband will energise our economy, generate jobs, and save public money.

'With the help of major investment by the European Regional Development Fund, businesses can now take advantage of fibre broadband in Cornwall to become more competitive and more productive. For both businesses and the communities they serve, there can be no better investment in our future than superfast broadband.'

Full details of the findings from the midterm evaluation are available at www.superfastcornwall.org/impact