Take up of Welsh broadband scheme is low

Concerns have been expressed by a Welsh MP over the low take up of a two million pound broadband scheme aimed at bringing broadband to some rural hotspots in Wales.

An MP from Wales has expressed concern over the take up of a broadband scheme that is aimed at bringing broadband to some rural parts of Wales. The two million pound scheme is aimed at providing internet access to more people, but Ceredigion MP Mark Williams wants to ensure that people that qualify for the scheme are aware of it.

The MP wants the assembly government to make sure that people that can qualify for up to one thousand pounds are aware of this. He said that the scheme had been launched in July and only around three hundred and fifty applications, equating to around twenty a week, had been approved – a figure that he said was too low.

The government has said that another four hundred applications are currently being processed, and people are being urged to continue applying for the scheme. The scheme was set up in response to concerns that were voiced over lack of broadband facilities and access in rural areas, which put many residents in the area at a disadvantage.

Williams said: “This is a good scheme, and could be a big help to many in rural Wales, but so far there has not been the take-up that you would expect, so it is crucial that the assembly government does more to make people aware of the scheme. Broadband provision is absolutely crucial for businesses and individuals in rural areas, so this help is very welcome, and I would urge individuals and communities to investigate the scheme, and see if it can help them to get broadband. I hope that the assembly government will do more to ensure that people are aware of this scheme, and have the necessary information to investigate whether it can help them.”

Are you resident in a rural area of Wales? If so, have you been made aware of this scheme? Let us know by leaving your comments

Source – BBC