Wales UK Confirm Next 63 Communities to Get a BT Fibre Broadband

The joint BT and state aid supported Superfast Cymru project, which aims to make broadband speeds of up to 80Mbps available to 96% of Welsh premises by the end of spring 2016 2015 (Q4), has revealed that 100,000 new premises in Wales will have access to the operators fibre (FTTC/P) network by the end of this year.

According to BT, the project is either currently in the process of upgrading or has already upgraded 57 towns and rural communities across Wales. This effectively represents the first phase of BT’s deployment, which is due to complete by the end of this year. A full list of the various locations and future coverage can be found below.

Superfast Cymru Rollout to End of 2013 (Q4-2013)

Abercynon, Aberdyfi, Abersoch, Abertillery, Amlwch, Bangor, Barmouth, Bedlinog. Bethesda, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Blaina, Brynmawr, Brynsiencyn, Caernarfon, Cemaes Bay, Chwilog, Clydach, Clynnogfawr, Corwen, Criccieth, Cwm, Dinas Mawddwy, Dolgellau, Dyffryn, Ebbw Vale, Fairbourne, Ferndale, Gaerwen, Garn Dolbenmaen, Gwalchmai, Harlech, Hirwaun, Holywell, Llanbedrog, Llanberis, Llandderfel, Llangefni, Llanwnda, Maentwrog, Menai Bridge, Mountain Ash, Nefyn, Ogmore Valley, Pennal, Penrhyndeudraeth, Pentraeth, Pentyrch, Penygroes, Y Felinheli, Porth, Porthmadog, Pwllheli, Rhiwderin, Sealand, Tredegar, Tywyn, Waunfawr.

Today BT has also named the next 63 communities that are scheduled to go live by the end of spring 2014, which will add another 230,000 homes and businesses to the operators fibre optic based network coverage.

Superfast Cymru Rollout to End of Spring 2014 (Q1-Q2 2014)

Abergynolwyn, Aberystwyth, Bala, Beaumaris, Beddgelert, Bishopston, Bodorgan, Bonvilston, Botwnnog, Caergwrle, Corris, Cowbridge, Dinas Powys, Ffestiniog, Flint, Gower, Gowerton, Haverfordwest, Holyhead, Johnston, Llanbedr, Llanerchymedd, Llanfaethlu, Llangoed, Llanuwchllyn, Llithfaen, Llanwern, Machynlleth, Maesteg, Mayals, Merthyr Tydfil, Milford Haven, Moelfre, Mold West, Monmouth, Mostyn, Newborough, Neyland, Northop. Pembroke, Penclawdd, Penhow, Penmaen, Peterstone-super-Ely, Pontybodkin, Rhiw, Rhoose, Rhosneigr, Rhydymain, Southerndown, St Athan, Sully, Tonyrefail, Trawsfynydd, Trearddur Bay, Treforest, Treharris,Treorchy, Tyn-y-Gongl, Valley, Wick, Ynysowen, Ynysbwl.

It should be noted that when BT’s separate £2.5bn commercial FTTC/P rollout is added in, which is similarly due to end during spring 2014, then the total figure for homes and businesses passed by the end of June 2014 rises to 860,000. Work is expected to be underway in all 22 unitary authorities in Wales by early spring 2015.

Liv Garfield, CEO of Openreach, added:

“This is an exciting journey for Wales and we are making great progress with supercharging the country’s broadband speeds.

This project is already enabling businesses in rural as well as urban communities in Wales to grow and compete on a level playing field with competitors anywhere in the world and providing a myriad of opportunities for families to explore new horizons and applications that will enrich their lives.

This is a complex project that has required meticulous planning and hard work, but we have been working closely with the Welsh Government and our efforts are now really starting to pay off.”

By the end of the project in 2016 Openreach expects to have installed around 17,500kms of fibre optic cable and approximately 3,000 new street cabinets. It’s wonderful to see the £425m scheme (this frequently touted figure also appears to include BT’s prior commercial investment) finally making some significant progress, although the recent Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) delays mean that it will now complete by the end of spring 2016 instead of Q4-2015.