Wales set to get superfast broadband
Scheme aims to deliver better broadband speeds聽to rural communities.
Homes and businesses in Wales are set to have access to world-class broadband speeds by the end of 2015.
The deal between the and BT will use public and private funds, including , to deliver fibre broadband to parts of the country not covered by commercial plans.
Ninety-six per cent of homes and businesses are expected to have speeds about 15 times faster than those available in Wales today, with ultra-fast broadband providing even faster speeds if businesses need it.
The initiative, which is subject to state aid and major projects approval from the , will take the total amount invested in Welsh fibre broadband to about 拢425 million.
Benefit to business
Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones said: 鈥淎s a result of Welsh Government, UK Government, European Structural Funds and private sector investment, a solution has been secured that will leverage the funding available to achieve best value for the Welsh pound. We have leveraged over 拢6 for every 拢1 invested by the Welsh Government.
鈥淚t will be of particular benefit to the tens of thousands of local businesses across Wales. It will ensure that firms remain in Wales and it will also attract a more diverse range of high growth, high value companies to the country across all our key sectors.鈥�
UK Communications Minister said: 鈥淚t is great news that rural communities throughout Wales will soon enjoy the benefit of superfast broadband.
鈥淭echnology is transforming how we all live our lives, and the UK Government is clear that having the best superfast broadband in Europe is central to our ambitions for growth. Nobody must be left behind, which is why we are investing almost 拢57 million in superfast broadband in Wales.鈥�
Earlier this week, , the Government unit responsible for managing broadband funding.