Extension announced for broadband scheme in Wales

It has been announced recently that a broadband scheme targets consumers in Wales is to be extended in order to help those in rural areas to enjoy faster internet speeds.

According to recent reports a broadband scheme that was running in Wales to help those in rural areas to benefit from more adequate broadband access has been extended. The broadband improvement project is run by the Welsh Government and provides up to £1000 for those that are being held back by just dial up speeds, enabling them to look at an alternative.

It has been announced that the scheme, costing £2 million, is now to be rolled out to areas where the state of broadband connections is not as bad as in the worst hit rural areas but where speeds are still below the 2Mbps mark. There has been a lot of criticism over the lack of adequate broadband access in rural parts of Wales, and this scheme was designed to help tackle that problem.

Under the scheme those in areas where the speed of broadband is less than 512Kbps have been able to access the funding in order to look at wireless or satellite alternatives. The extension of the scheme means that those with speeds of less than 2Mbps will also be able to access the scheme, which has come as good news for those that have speeds of 512Kbps or slightly above, putting them out of the running for funding under the current rules.

One official said: “There are some in the village that will be marginally over the top of 512Kbps and may not qualify for the money, which is a real handicap because we need a reasonable number of people to come on to the scheme to make it worthwhile. But as it stands at the moment if they get more than 512Kbps then they will not qualify for the grant money for the installation, so they’ll have to spend up to £1,000 themselves for the installation. That’s a real drawback.”

Will you benefit from the extension of the scheme?

Source – BBC