Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates has welcomed news that the Welsh Government is targeting EU funding towards better broadband provision in Wales. Details will be outlined this summer of a scheme which will provide financial assistance to enable residents and businesses in hard to reach areas to consider alternative methods of receiving broadband, such as via a satellite connection.
Following recent correspondence from Mr Bates in which he highlighted his disappointment that none of the next generation upgrades to exchanges in Wales recently announced by BT will take place in Mid Wales, the Minister for the Economy Ieuan Wyn Jones acknowledged this concern but highlights plans to use EU funding to help roll out broadband to hard reach areas of Wales, with details to be announced this summer.
Commenting, Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates states:
“I was pleased to note the commitment in the Queen’s speech today to support investment in new high-speed broadband internet connections. This follows a long line of commitments that have been given by Wales and Westminster to improving broadband by providing universal, high speed access.
“Although I am yet to see any of these translated into real action for Mid Wales, I am delighted by news of forthcoming plans by the Minister for the Economy, Ieuan Wyn Jones, which at long last may herald a big step forward towards next generation broadband in rural areas.
“In recent correspondence to me the Minister acknowledged that none of the next generation upgrades to exchanges in Wales recently announced by BT will take place in Mid Wales and that upgrading the existing copper network will not provide an adequate connection speed in many rural areas, but states that the Assembly Government is exploring ways to address the problem.
“The Minister confirmed that EU funding has been identified to assist with the roll-out of broadband to hard to reach areas in Wales. A scheme is being developed which will provide financial assistance to enable residents and businesses to consider alternative methods of receiving broadband where the copper network is not viable, such as via a satellite connection.
“Details of the scheme will be announced this summer and I look forward to hearing the plans. I have been campaigning for many years for better broadband provision for Mid Wales, which for too long has been left behind with a second class service that has put individuals and businesses at a disadvantage. I am pleased that innovative methods are at last being explored to address the challenge of delivering high speed, affordable internet to rural Wales.”
