Wales UK Confirm New Areas for BT Fibre Broadband Rollout to March 2015

The state aid supported Superfast Cymru project, which aims to make faster “fibre broadband” (FTTC/P) speeds of up to 80Mbps available to 96% of Welsh premises by the end of spring 2016, has revealed a new list of communities that are scheduled to be enabled with BT’s new network by the end of March 2015.

The £425m scheme (note: this often touted figure also includes BT’s prior commercial investment) has so far managed to help faster broadband services reach an additional 100,000 homes and businesses in Wales and the end target aims to benefit a total of around 690,000 premises.

David Jones, Wales Secretary, said:

“Today’s announcement marks a significant leap forward in our efforts to ensure Wales has a broadband network fit for the digital age. The Superfast Cymru project is a prime example of how UK Government investment can be combined with other funding to deliver for the people of Wales.

In addition to the funding already committed, this Government announced in December that a further £10 million would be made available to address those areas not set to benefit from current broadband roll-out across the UK. I have recently met with the Culture Secretary and the Communications Minister to make the case for Wales to receive a fair share of the additional funding on offer.

Improved connectivity for homes and businesses is a cornerstone of this Government’s efforts to strengthen the economy in Wales. Thanks to the investment made into Wales’ digital infrastructure by this Government, we are well on our way to achieving a truly remarkable transformation in broadband provision in Wales.”

A large number of communities have already been named for the first two phases of the roll-out to Spring 2014 (here) and today’s update from the central Government’s Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) project appears to include a number of new locations, which are due to be upgraded by March 2015 (see below).

Communities scheduled to be enabled by the end of March 2015:

•Caerphilly: Cross Keys, Machen, Nelson, Rhymney, Risca, Senghenydd, Ynysddu

•Cardiff: Radyr

•Carmarthenshire: Amman Valley, Carmarthen, Hebron, Llanbydder, Maesycrugiau, Pencader, Pumpsaint, Upper Cwmtwrch, Velindre

•Conwy: Cerrigydrudion, Llanfairfechan

•Ceredigion: Aberaeron, Aeron, Aberporth, Borth, Bow Street, Bronant, Capel Bangor, Cardigan, Crosswood, Cwrtnewydd, Lampeter, Llanarth, Llandyssul, Llangybi, Llanilar, Llanon, Llechryd, Nebo, Newcastle Emlyn, New Quay, Ponterwyd, Ponthrydygroes, Pontrhydfendigaid, Pontshaen, Talybont, Tregaron

•Denbighshire: Bodfari, Bryneglwys, Cyffylliog, Denbigh, Dyserth, Glyndwr, Llanarmon-yn-Ial, Llandegla, Llandrillo, Llandyrnog, Llangollen, Llanynys, Maerdy, Rhuddlan, Ruthin, St Asaph, Trefnant

•Flintshire: Caerwys, Halkyn, Kinnerton, Llanferres,

•Gwynedd: Bontddu, Ganllwyd, Tudweiliog

•Neath Port Talbot: Crynant, Cymmer, Glantawe, Glynneath, Pontardawe, Resolven, Seven Sisters, Skewen

•Monmouthshire: Gilwern, , Magor, Nantyderry, Tredunnock Usk

•Pembrokeshire: Boncath, Crosswell, Crymych, Dinas Cross, Llwyndrain, Moylegrove, Newport,

•Powys: Abercrave, Abermule, Berriew, Brecon, Builth Wells, Bwlch, Caersws, Carno, Castle Caereinion, Church Stoke, Crickhowell, Erwood, Forden, Guilsfield, Hay-on-Wye, Hundred House, Gladestry, Kerry, Kington, Knighton, Llanbrynmair, Llanfair Caereinion, Llandrindod Wells, Llangamarch Wells, Llangurig, Llanfrynach, Llanfyllin, Llangorse, Llanidloes, Llanymynech, Newtown, Llanrhaeadr, Llansantffraid, Llanwrtyd Wells, Merthyr Cynog, Montgomery, Newbridge-on-Wye, Penybont, New Radnor, Pennant, Presteigne, Rhayader, Sennybridge, Talgarth, Talybont-on-Usk, Trefeglwys, Tregynon, Trewern, Welshpool

•Swansea: Llangennith

•Torfaen: Blaenavon, Talywain

•Wrexham: Bangor-on-Dee, Chirk, Dutton Diffeth, Glyn Ceiriog, Hanmer, Overton-on-Dee, Redbrook Maelor, Rossett, Rhosllanerchrugog, Ruabon