Superfast broadband scheme extended in Wales

Roughly 42,000 more premises in business parks and industrial estates in Wales will benefit from a superfast broadband, thanks to the extension of a government-backed scheme.

Superfast Cymru will now run until 2017 and is a programme, part funded by the UK government, set up to bring fast fibre broadband to areas across Wales which would not otherwise receive it.

The expansion is backed by £19 million of funding made up of contributions from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and expected funding from the EU. Telecoms provider BT will also invest “significant” extra funding, according to DCMS.

“I am very pleased that over 40,000 more premises across Wales will now share in the benefits of superfast broadband – joining the nearly half a million homes and businesses in Wales that our project has already reached,” said Wales Office Minister, Alun Cairns.

“Access to faster, more reliable broadband has a significant impact on our lives – from the way we shop to the way we communicate, helping businesses to grow and compete in the global market.”

“The UK Government will continue doing all it can to support this ambitious scheme and ensure that Wales doesn’t get left behind in the digital revolution.”