Wales to get boost in funds for superfast broadband

Wales will get almost £58m from the Government's £530 million broadband investment fund it was announced today.

Culture secretary Jeremy Hunt has said that if the Welsh assembly matches the investment of £56.9m from the Government, it will be able to provide superfast broadband access to 90 per cent of premises in Wales – with the rest having access to at least 2 Mbits/sec.

Mr Hunt said: "Superfast broadband is essential if businesses are to grow and create new jobs. It is increasingly important for the way we deliver public services and to our everyday lives.

"But some areas of the UK are being left behind. Many rural and hard-to-reach communities do not have decent broadband access. We must ensure the whole country can join the digital age.

"We are investing £56.9 million to help take broadband to the whole of Wales. If the Welsh Government matches our investment, 90 per cent of the country's homes and businesses will have access to superfast broadband.

Each country's funding allocation is based on the cost of taking superfast broadband to those premises that would not receive it from the market alone. It is not based on the number of people living or working in a country.

This means the assembly will decide how to use the money from the investment fund to bring broadband to the country so Mr Hunt urged the Welsh to lobby hard if they are in the slow lane.

"If you suffer the frustration of slow internet connections, then tell your Welsh Assembly Member that you need broadband. Urge them to make this investment and ensure that Wales is not left behind," he said.

Secretary of State for Wales Cheryl Gillan said: "Last week's Ofcom report into broadband provision highlighted the challenge facing us in Wales to ensure we improve provision for domestic and business users. Today's announcement will ensure broadband take-up and speed can be significantly improved, benefitting individuals and businesses."