BT to Deploy Full Fibre Broadband to Business Parks Across Mid Wales

Telecoms giant BT has today announced the Business Park Full Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) Project, which reflects the signing of a new contract with the Growing Mid Wales (GMW) programme to deliver full fibre broadband access for business parks across Mid Wales – Ceredigion and Powys. But some nearby homes will also benefit.

As usual the focus will be on business parks that currently lack access to gigabit-capable broadband lines and which are not included in existing commercial broadband rollouts, or other publicly funded programmes (e.g. Project Gigabit).

Beyond the identified business parks, the network build will also enable additional nearby homes and businesses to upgrade to full fibre as the network is extended through the area. But sadly BT’s announcement doesn’t name any of the business parks that are expected to benefit from this project, which makes it hard to know which homes might also benefit.

Otherwise, the contract requires BT to design and build a full-fibre network capable of supporting download speeds of up to 1 Gbps, with the flexibility to meet future demand. The network will be open access, meaning businesses will not be tied to a single provider and can choose broadband services of their choice from a range of ISPs (basically.. Openreach’s network, even though the announcement doesn’t name them).

The network rollout itself is already said to have commenced.

Susi Marston, Head of Public Sector Wales at BT, said:

“Reliable, high-quality broadband makes a real difference to how people run their businesses every day, giving them the connectivity they need to innovate and grow. This programme means more people and places can benefit from fast, dependable digital access, helping them thrive in an increasingly digital future. Wales is a key location for BT and plays a vital role in powering the UK’s economy, so investing in the digital infrastructure which will power its businesses for years to come really matters to us.”

Councillors Bryan Davies and Jake Berriman said:

“This project demonstrates the momentum already building across the Mid Wales Growth Deal, with investment translating into delivery on the ground. It is a major step forward for Mid Wales. Ensuring our business parks have access to gigabit-capable full fibre will strengthen the foundations for regional growth, improve competitiveness, and support businesses to adopt modern digital tools and services. Importantly, this project targets premises that were not in the scope of existing commercial or publicly funded programmes, ensuring the benefits of full fibre reach more of our communities and employment sites.”

BT will also deliver digital skills support for small and medium-sized businesses across Mid Wales. This will include a virtual programme, offering practical workshops, tools and tailored guidance to help businesses build digital capability and improve productivity. Targeted promotional activity will also be used to help raise awareness and engagement with the programme.