New Full Fibre Broadband Network Goes Live at Margam Park, Neath Port Talbot

The Swansea Bay City Deal’s Digital Infrastructure Programme has announced the completion of a £150,000 project to deploy a new full fibre broadband network across Margam Park (Neath Port Talbot) in South Wales, which will also reach homes in the surrounding area.

Just to recap. The UK and Welsh Governments gave their approval for a £55m digital infrastructure investment under the £1.3bn Swansea Bay City Region project in 2021 (here), which among other things aimed to expand full fibre and 5G mobile connectivity to benefit residents and businesses across Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire and Swansea. Some of this investment also comes from the Local Broadband Fund (LBF) for Wales.

Several digital infrastructure projects are already taking place under this programme (examples here, here and here) and the deployment across the aforementioned country park (a sprawling 850 acre estate) is another one for the list. The park can now host large events without internet problems, and nearby residents are also expected to gain access to the new Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) based network.

The £150k project formed part of the Digital Infrastructure Programme’s “Connected Places” workstream. It was completed a month ahead of schedule and is a key step in building a more connected Neath Port Talbot.

Neath Port Talbot Councillor, Cen Phillips, said:

“Margam Park is one of Neath Port Talbot’s most treasured attractions and ensuring it has the digital infrastructure to support modern visitor experiences is a key priority. This investment in full fibre connectivity not only enhances the park’s ability to host large-scale events and improve operational efficiency but also strengthens its appeal to tourists and local residents alike. It’s a fantastic example of how our Digital Infrastructure Programme is delivering real, tangible benefits for our communities.”

The fibre build was delivered through the Public Sector Broadband Aggregation (PSBA) platform, the Welsh Government’s secure network for public services. It forms part of a wider £1.7 million project across the Swansea Bay City Region. But the announcement doesn’t mention which supplier has built and will run the new network.

UPDATE:

Openreach are the ones providing the network.