Rural Powys Could get Better Broadband

A pilot project designed to bring high-speed internet to rural communities in Powys has been a success.

13:54 12 January 2022

A pilot project designed to bring high-speed internet to residents and businesses in rural communities in Powys has been successful. The work, which began in October, covers several remote areas with Radnorshire being next in line for a broadband boost. 

 

Launched by Powys County Council in March 2021, the pilot project focuses on improving broadband connection in Aberedw, Llanafan Fawr and Llanwrthwl and further north in Dwyriw and Manafon. It is funded by the UK Government's Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and the Welsh Government, through the UK Gigabit Voucher Scheme. 

 

And now, a group called Glascwm Phase 2 Community Gigabit Fibre Broadband scheme is encouraging residents in the Hundred House and Franksbridge area to join in. 

 

“Currently, the BT/Openreach broadband network in our area relies on fibre to a cabinet then copper to our properties,” said Jeremy Andrews, who created the Glascwm Phase 2 Facebook group.

 

“The further away from the cabinet we live, the slower that broadband speed becomes. Copper cables can be old and as many of us know when it rains the connection speed can reduce even lower.

 

“With more of us streaming movies and working from home demand on this old technology is high and BT/Openreach have said there are no plans to upgrade the broadband in our area.

 

“Using Welsh and UK Government funding its possible for us as a community to work with Powys County Council and a fibre broadband company called Broadway to provide a fibre to the house network across the whole of north Glascwm. That means to every farm and house.