Chancellor Rishi Sunak visits Jurassic Fibre

The Devon broadband provider announced ambitious plans for the future

Jurassic Fibre, a broadband internet network developer, has announced ambitious plans to increase the rollout of its ultrafast fibre network to cover 500,000 homes and businesses across 30 towns and villages in the South West by 2026.

The announcement coincided with a visit from The Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak MP
to Jurassic Fibre’s Devon headquarters in Honiton.

During the Chancellor’s visit, Michael Maltby, CEO of Jurassic Fibre, outlined the company’s
achievements during its first four years of operation, including providing access to ultrafast
fibre broadband for 100,000 underserved households and businesses across 21 towns in
Devon, Dorset, Somerset and Cornwall. It has also created 350 jobs in the region.

Touring the Jurassic Fibre facility, The Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon Rishi
Sunak MP, commented:

“Improving digital connectivity across rural communities in the South West is a vital part of
our ambitions to level up every corner of the country. Through better access to ultrafast
broadband, people and businesses in the region can benefit from the same opportunities
afforded to regions like London and the South East. Jurassic Fibre has been a stalwart
champion in bringing ever greater broadband access to areas like Devon.
“It has been great to see their business in action and to learn more about the positive impact
they are having on the regional economy, not only through job creation in their own
company, but enabling the growth of local businesses and boosting employment."

Michael Maltby, CEO, Jurassic Fibre, said:

“Jurassic Fibre has achieved some phenomenal milestones in our short history, including
connecting 100,000 South West-based households and businesses to ultrafast broadband in
just four years. Our investment in the region has made gigabit speeds a reality for many rural
communities. But we’re not stopping here. There is a still a long way to go in bringing the
South West’s digital infrastructure up to the levels required in the 21st century.

“By increasing our commitment to 500,000 homes and businesses in the next four years, we
are firmly demonstrating our dedication to both supporting the Government’s levelling up
agenda and making the South West an attractive region to live, work, invest and visit. It was
fantastic to welcome the Chancellor to our part of the world and highlight the great strides
that are being made, while outlining our ambitions for the future."

The Chancellor had travelled to the region to lend his support to Tiverton and Honiton
Conservative candidate Helen Hurford, in advance of the local by-election on 23rd June. He
was keen to visit a high growth business that is transforming economic prosperity in the town
and across the South West region, and to meet local employees who live and work in the
constituency.