13 December 2022
Powys residents who have signed up to three community broadband schemes – Llanfan Fawr and Llanwrthwl, Aberedw and Glascwm, and Dwyriw and Manafon – are to get their ultrafast fibre connections in the new year.
The new network in Llanafan Fawr and Llanwrthwl will reach 353 properties, with 170 of these already registered to receive the improved service, following an investment of more than £250,000.
In Aberedw and Glascwm the plan is to reach 240 properties, with 134 of these already registered, following an investment of more than £200,000.
And in Dwyriw and Manafon the new network will reach 461 properties, with 173 already registered, following an investment of more than £200,000.
All three schemes have been funded by the UK Government’s Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme and the Welsh Government’s top-up (now closed) and are being delivered by supplier Broadway Partners.
Broadway Partners will also be delivering a further 18 community projects in Powys, which could see a further 8,000 properties in rural areas given access to ultrafast fibre broadband. This includes schemes at Rhayader and Nantmel, and Painscastle, which are next in line.
Powys County Council (PCC) is supporting the schemes as part of its Digital Powys project, which aims to help businesses and communities to stay connected.
“Once completed, these community broadband schemes, which are drawing in an investment of more than £650,000, will deliver much better connectivity for residents and businesses in some of the most rural parts of our county,” said Cllr Jake Berriman, the council’s Cabinet Member for a Connected Powys. “They are also helping us to achieve our aim of creating a stronger, fairer, and greener Powys.
“Improving digital access in some of our most sparsely populated communities will put them on a more even footing with those living in urban areas and give them access to a greater range of services that can help with wellbeing, learning and remote working.”
All the community broadband schemes being supported by PCC are listed here: Community Broadband Schemes
If you want help to set up your own community broadband scheme in Powys, or to join an existing one, contact PCC’s community broadband officer, within the council’s Regeneration Team, at: [email protected]
Further information on improving your broadband connection, including grants and support, can also be found here: Broadband – enabling a Digital Powys
There are also Facebook pages for the three community broadband schemes:
PICTURE: Members of the Llanafan Fawr and Llanwrthwl Community Broadband Scheme project group (from left), Steve Ellis, Andrew Powell and David Price, with Reece Simmons (thumbs up), Broadway Partners’ Community Liaison Manager, at the installation of the new mini exchange (green cabinet) in Newbridge-on-Wye, which will act as a hub for the new fibre network.
