A new scheme aimed at bringing broadband services to rural communities across Wales has been welcomed by Denbighshire County Council.
The Broadband Support Scheme will allow individuals and communities in ‘not-spots’ to approach service providers directly, with funding from the Welsh Assembly Government.
The new scheme, announced by Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones, begins at the end of the summer.
Councillor Paul Marfleet, Cabinet Lead Member for Modernisation, said: “This is tremendous news for rural communities across Wales and indeed there are communities in Denbighshire that will benefit from this new scheme.
“Access to broadband can be taken for granted in many areas and provides fast access to online services, bringing benefits to personal users and to local businesses and the wider economy.
“However, there are some ‘not-spots’ in rural areas where residents are disadvantaged by not having access and there is an impact on local businesses who do not have broadband or have speeds that do not allow them to compete on a level playing field.
” Denbighshire has for some time been involved in discussions with the local AM and MP, as well as the telecommunications industry, to call for broadband access to all our communities. Discussions will continue.”
Councillor Rhiannon Hughes, Cabinet Lead Member for Customer Services, said: “It is critical for our rural communities to have access to broadband and we would encourage those in rural communities that have yet to benefit from the technology to take advantage of the new scheme when details are announced later this summer.”
