Superfast broadband for Wales by 2015

First Minister for Wales, Carwyn Jones, has announced a new deal with BT which aims to deliver Next Generation broadband to 96% of homes and businesses in Wales by the end of 2015.

Outlining details at his monthly news conference, Mr Jones explained how the project will use public and private funds to deliver fibre broadband to parts of the country not covered by commercial plans.

On completition, more than 1.3 million premises in Wales will have access to world-class broadband speeds and the project will take the total amount invested in Welsh fibre broadband to around £425 million.

In addition, BT will be creating 50 new jobs and 100 new apprenticeships, while a further 2,500 full-time jobs could be created throughout the Welsh economy over time.

The First Minister commented: “The project will transform the broadband landscape across Wales and ensure that local businesses can become global businesses.

“It will ensure that firms remain in Wales and it will also attract a more diverse range of high growth, high value companies to the country across all our key sectors from tourism to high end manufacturing.”

Liv Garfield, chief executive of Openreach, BT’s local network business, added: “Wales will become one of the best connected countries in the world and will be ahead of the chasing pack.”