Assurances have been given that superfast broadband is on target to reach most communities in the area after four more rural exchanges were switched on recently.
But Montgomeryshire AM, Russell George, who met with BT’s director for Wales, Ann Beynon, said he was still concerned about areas that might not get it and has taken this up with her.
Today, BT announced that Abermule, Berriew, Carno and Llanfair Caereinion telephone exchanges had now been switched on to Superfast Broadband, in addition to some other communities in Montgomeryshire, including parts of Newtown, Llanidloes and Welshpool.
As Chair of the National Assembly’s Cross Party Group on Digital Communications, Mr George has long-campaigned for an improvement in broadband connectivity in Mid Wales.
Ken Skates, Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, said: “The Welsh Government is committed to seeing Wales become a truly digital nation and the Superfast Cymru programme is vital in making that vision a reality.
“The programme also highlights the impact European funding is having on infrastructure in Wales.”
But after his meeting with Ms Beynon, Russell George said while he was pleased at the pace of the roll out in Montgomeryshire, more still needed to be done.
“I was pleased to hear from the BT Director in Wales that good progress is being made on rolling out superfast broadband across Wales and that around a third of properties in Montgomeryshire are already able to receive high-speed broadband.
“I was also encouraged to hear that BT are still committed to the Welsh Government’s stated aim to reach 96% of premises with a minimum of 24 Mbit/s by Spring next year.
“Both industry commentators and I have expressed concerns that some rural residents may be left behind and that this ambitious target wouldn’t be hit, so it is comforting to know that BT still believe they are on target.
“Nevertheless, I will still be looking for assurances from the Welsh Government that those 45,000 premises from across Wales, who will miss out from the initial rollout will be able to access superfast broadband at the earliest opportunity to ensure that Mid Wales remains competitive with its urban counterparts in an economy which is increasingly reliant on high speed broadband and mobile connectivity.
“I will also be looking for an improvement in the way in which both the Welsh Government and BT communicate to residents who will miss out and will be urging the Welsh Government to publish a comprehensive list of premises which they have already identified.”
Mr George added that he was pleased that the BT Director accepted his invitation to visit Montgomeryshire later this year.
Mr George urged people to contact him if they required further information about the Superfast Cymru project in their area.
Superfast Cymru, a partnership between the Welsh Government, BT, UK Government and the European Regional Development Fund is the largest of its kind in the UK.
