More rural communities in Wales are to get broadband as part of Welsh Assembly Government and BT action to tackle internet ‘not spots’.
Beulah and Ystrad Meurig in Ceredigion and Cil-y-Cwm and Llanfynydd in Carmarthenshire are all being broadband enabled. The aim is to complete the work by the end of the summer.
A broadband ‘not-spot’ is usually the result of the distance a person lives from their local telephone exchange – the further away they are, the weaker the broadband signal becomes.
In 2006 the Welsh Assembly Government and BT identified some of those communities and announced a rolling programme to upgrade the infrastructure serving them. So far around 8,500 premises in Wales have benefited from this joint investment.
Last year, six more communities gained access to the broadband thanks to the programme – Reynalton and Saundersfoot in Pembrokeshire, Llanpumsaint and Bronwydd Arms in Carmarthenshire, Cilcennin in Ceredigion and Gwytherin in Conwy.
Broadband internet can offer businesses and individuals connecting speeds significantly faster than dial-up. It can support internet applications such as voice, video conferencing, e-business, radio, streaming video and digital TV.
Broadband also means it is much quicker and less expensive to download large quantities of data. It allows businesses to reduce their costs and develop e-business opportunities such as online sales.
The Deputy First Minister for the Economy and Transport Ieuan Wyn Jones said:
“Access to the digital world is crucial in a modern global economy and we cannot afford to leave anybody behind. This is why we have committed to finding ways for the relatively few areas in Wales that remain unable to access broadband.
“There is no doubt that high-speed internet service is vital for communities in every part of the country. Top broadband links are vital for developing the knowledge economy, improving the ability of businesses and individuals to network and innovate.
“Not only is fast web access a feature of many households – but it is essential that businesses are fully equipped with first-class ICT infrastructure to compete successfully in a global market. And in line with the goals we set in the One Wales agreement, I want to see communities in rural areas sharing fully in the benefits.”
Ann Beynon, BT’s director for Wales, said:
“BT is pleased to be investing heavily in its network in Wales, not only to bring next generation access broadband to the country but also to bring broadband to communities that currently don’t have the technology.
“BT and Openreach have been working closely with the Welsh Assembly Government to find solutions to the issue of non-availability of basic broadband in rural communities and this latest announcement is an important step forward and an excellent example of the way in which we can bring broadband to those communities where commercial deployment costs are prohibitive and where partnership with the Assembly Government is key.”
If you would like to register as a ‘not-spot’, please visit the Broadband Notspot Registration Wales website or contact the Welsh Assembly Government on 029 2036 8043.
