The coronavirus pandemic has illustrated the importance of digital connectivity for our homes and businesses in Wales - none more so than in rural areas like Brecon and Radnorshire.
Since May 2019, the UK Government led Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme has made available vouchers worth up to £3,500 for rural SMEs and up to £1,500 for rural residential premises to install new gigabit-capable internet connections. But with the rural topography of Brecon and Radnorshire it has proved to be more expensive to roll out the infrastructure needed.
Residents and businesses will from today have access to more funding for better broadband, as the Welsh Government “tops up” the UK Government’s Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme, increasing the maximum available to premises in Wales to £3,000 for residential premises and £7,000 for SMEs respectively.
More than 50,000 rural Welsh homes and businesses could be eligible to have their broadband upgraded.
Ministers from both the UK and Welsh governments are urging Welsh businesses and communities to apply for these vouchers so that they can future-proof their internet connections and be ready to reap the economic and social benefits brought by increased connectivity.
To find out how the vouchers work and if you are eligible click here.
Fay Jones MP, Member of Parliament for Brecon and Radnorshire said:
"Digital connectivity has proven to be vital during the COVID-19 lockdown, enabling families and friends to stay in touch and people to work from the safety of their home. It will also be vital to rebuilding our rural economy after the COVID-19 lockdown.
"The UK Government has already shown a strong commitment to levelling up broadband speeds and mobile coverage across the UK, with the introduction of the Universal Service Obligation and the Shared Rural Network. I am delighted that my constituents will now be able to benefit even more from the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme.
"I welcome the collaboration between the UK and Welsh governments on this scheme and I would encourage all of my constituents with slow internet connections to check their eligibility or contact my office to explore all of your options."
UK Government Minister in Wales, David TC Davies MP said:
“Improved connectivity for homes and businesses forms a significant part of both governments’ efforts to strengthen Wales’s economy and support our expanding digital sector. This is particularly relevant to the thousands of people working and running a business from home at the moment due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
“The extension of this scheme will ensure more people have access to reliable broadband speeds, symbolising another step forwards in our plans to provide Wales with a resilient broadband network that is fit for the future.”
Matt Warman MP, UK Government Minister for Digital Infrastructure, said:
"Our £1.8 billion superfast broadband programme transformed Wales’s digital landscape, allowing many people to work remotely during lockdown.
"We are now focusing on future-proofing internet networks with gigabit speeds and, working with the Welsh Government, I am pleased to offer even more vital funding to bring this next-generation connectivity to rural businesses and homes.
"I encourage all those who qualify to apply to feel the benefits of much faster internet connections."