Wales UK Confirms Next 66 Locations for BT Fibre Broadband by June 2015

The Superfast Cymru scheme, which is working to make faster broadband speeds of up to 80Mbps available to 96% of premises in Wales by the end of spring 2016, has today announced the next 66 new locations across 10 local authority areas that will be enabled for “high speed fibre” (FTTC) by BT in time for June 2015.

The commencement of work, which will take place earlier than expected in 35 of BT’s telephone exchange areas, is due to begin in the spring of 2015. Once this phase is completed more than 500,000 premises across Wales will be able to access faster broadband speeds (75% coverage), which will of course be extended to 96% (roughly 700,000 premises) by the final completion in 2016 (involving the installation of 3,000 green roadside cabinets and around 17,500kms of fibre optic cable).

Ed Hunt, BT Programme Director for Superfast Cymru, said:

“We are making great progress, passing on average more than 5,000 premises a week with fibre broadband between now and the end of March 2015. Through this programme we expect to reach close to half a million premises by summer 2015 with a year still to go. That’s nearly a third of all homes and businesses in Wales, and three quarters when combined with BT’s own commercial roll-out.

All exchanges in Wales are in scope of the programme and those not revealed in today’s announcement will be announced in due course.”

In addition, BT has also opened a new office in Newtown which will be “a focal point for the programmes activity in Mid and North Wales“.

Communities Scheduled to be Enabled by Late June 2015

Carmarthenshire: Ammanford, Cynwyl Elfed, Laugharne, Llanboidy, Llanddarog, Llandeilo, Llandovery, Llandybie, Llanpumsaint, Nantgaredig, Talley, Burry Port, Clynderwen, Ferryside, Kidwelly, Llangennech, Llanstephan, Pendine, Pontyates, Pontyberem, St Clears, Trimsaran, Whitland, Llangadog

Conwy: Betws- Y- Coed, Dolwyddelan, Llanrwst, Llansannan, Colwyn Bay, Penmaenmawr, Rhos-on-Sea, Tynygroes, Old Colwyn

Ceredigion: Glandyfi, Llangeitho, Llangrannog, Bancyfelin, Broadhaven, Rhydlewis

Denbighshire: Clawdd Newydd,

Monmouthshire: Cross Ash, Gobion, Little Mill, Llantilio, Raglan,

Pembrokeshire: Camrose, Carew, Croes Goch, Dale, Fishguard, Lamphey, Letterston, Manorbier, Narberth, St Davids, Treffgarne

Powys: Bucknell, Glasbury, Llangadfan, Llansilan, Meifod,, Cemmaes Road, Llyswen,

Swansea: Pontarddulais

RCT: Tonyrefail

Wrexham: Bettisfield

NOTE: The 35 exchanges being brought forward are in addition to the 6 (Cross Hands, Tenby, Saundersfoot, Abergele, Llandudno, and Aberconwy) that were announced in June 2014.