26
March
2015
|
23:00
Europe/London

Online boost to Pembroke as Main Street goes Superfast

Pembroke’s Main Street is the latest place to go superfast in Pembrokeshire with local households and businesses now able to place orders for faster internet speeds thanks to Superfast Cymru.

More than 24,000 premises already have access to superfast broadband in the county. Residents in Haverfordwest, Johnston, Milford Haven, Neyland, Pembroke and Saundersfoot can already take advantage of faster upload and download speeds.

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.

Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology Julie James was in Pembroke to see the cabinet which is delivering faster broadband to premises on the Main Street.

She said: “I am pleased to see more and more premises gaining access to superfast broadband, not only in Pembrokeshire but across Wales. It will make a real difference to those homes and businesses on Main Street, Pembroke.

“Superfast broadband makes a real difference for households and businesses and through our Superfast Cymru programme more and more premises are able to take advantage of it everyday.”
The high-speed technology, which is being installed by engineers from BT’s local network business, Openreach, has the ability to transform people’s use of the internet.

At home, fibre broadband allows a family to simultaneously download a movie, carry out online research, surf the web and play games online all at the same time. Businesses can use fibre broadband to work more efficiently, market themselves more effectively, find new customers and become more competitive.

Households and businesses who want superfast speeds need to contact an internet service provider (ISP) of their choice to sign up to receive fast fibre – the upgrade is not automatic. There are a wide range of ISPs offering fibre broadband in Wales so customers can shop around and choose the package that is best for them. If they choose not to upgrade to fibre broadband, they will be able to continue using their existing broadband service.

To find out when fibre broadband is coming to your area visit the Superfast Cymru website where information is provided for each postcode area in addition to the expected speed for each property: www.superfast-cymru.com

ENDS

The latest images of the Superfast Cymru roll-out are available for download at:https://www.flickr.com/photos/107803477@N08/sets/72157644203054472/


About the Welsh Government and Superfast Cymru
The Welsh Government is the devolved Government for Wales. We are working to help improve the lives of people in Wales and make our nation a better place in which to live and work.
The Welsh Government and BT are working in partnership on the 'Superfast Cymru' programme to develop a nationwide superfast broadband infrastructure.
Superfast Cymru will boost commercial roll-out and help the Welsh Government achieve its target to deliver high speed fibre broadband to 96% of homes and businesses in Wales by 2016.
Superfast Cymru is set to transform the broadband landscape in Wales and to promote economic growth and sustainable jobs in Wales. We have estimated that up to 2,500 further full times jobs could be created throughout the Welsh economy over time. It will ensure we are at the forefront of the global digital economy and help to champion Wales as a great place to live, work, invest and visit.

About Superfast Britain
Superfast Britain is a UK Government programme of investment in broadband and communication infrastructure across the UK. Run by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, this investment helps businesses to grow, creates jobs and will make Britain more competitive in the global race. The portfolio is comprised of three elements
• £780m to extend superfast broadband to 95% of the UK by 2017
• £150m to provide high speed broadband to businesses in 22 cities
• £150m to improve quality and coverage of mobile phone and basic data network services
Administered on behalf of Government by Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK), Superfast Britain is transforming Britain by promoting growth, enabling skills and learning, and improving quality of life.
For further information: https://www.gov.uk/broadband-delivery-uk