Newtown business parks to get ulra-fast fibre broadband

Business parks across in Newtown and north Powys are set to benefit from a major broadband upgrade after BT was appointed to deliver a new full fibre network as part of the Mid Wales Growth Deal.

The Business Park Full Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) Project will bring gigabit-capable broadband to employment sites across Powys and Ceredigion that currently lack access to high-speed connectivity.

The investment is aimed at business parks that have been overlooked by existing commercial broadband rollouts and other publicly funded schemes, targeting areas that would otherwise miss out on full fibre infrastructure.

The project is expected to have particular significance for business parks and industrial estates across north Powys, including sites around Newtown, Welshpool and other key employment centres where digital connectivity is increasingly important for business growth and competitiveness.

Full fibre broadband can deliver download speeds of up to 1Gbps and is seen as critical infrastructure for modern businesses, supporting cloud services, remote working, data-intensive applications and digital innovation.

The scheme forms part of the Growing Mid Wales Digital Programme and the wider Mid Wales Growth Deal, a £110 million package backed by the UK and Welsh governments to support economic growth across the region.

As well as improving connectivity for businesses located on designated business parks, the rollout is expected to bring wider benefits to surrounding communities. Additional homes and businesses located close to the new network infrastructure could also gain access to full fibre broadband as the network expands.

A key feature of the project is that businesses will not be tied to BT. The network will operate on an open access basis, allowing companies to choose services from a range of broadband providers.

Councillor Jake Berriman, Leader of Powys County Council and co-chair of the Growing Mid Wales Board, said the project represented a major milestone for the region.

He said: “This project demonstrates the momentum already building across the Mid Wales Growth Deal, with investment translating into delivery on the ground.

“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.”

Alongside the network rollout, BT will provide digital skills support for small and medium-sized businesses across Mid Wales. The programme will include online workshops, practical guidance and expert advice aimed at helping businesses improve productivity and make better use of digital technologies.

The announcement has been welcomed by the Welsh and UK governments.

Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, Adam Price said gigabit broadband would help businesses grow, innovate and compete more effectively.

Meanwhile, Wales Office Minister Anna McMorrin said improved connectivity would help businesses work more efficiently while also benefiting local communities.

The rollout has already begun, with further details on which business parks will be connected expected as the project progresses.

For businesses across Newtown and north Powys, the investment is being viewed as an important step in addressing long-standing concerns about digital connectivity and ensuring rural business locations can compete with better-connected urban centres.