Last week I visited the Llanbrynmair Telephone Exchange to meet with Openreach engineers, to see the work they are doing to build a new ultrafast full fibre broadband network across the area and indeed Montgomeryshire.
Residents in Llanbrynmair are now set to benefit from having some of the fastest and more reliable broadband available anywhere in the UK. This was made possible as a result of the community coming together to pledge their free UK Government Gigabit Vouchers as part of Openreach’s Fibre Community Partnership.
Llanbrynmair is one of 5 communities within Montgomeryshire who have so far been identified as being within scope for full fibre if enough residents pledge enough vouchers. The other communities who have so far been identified are Berriew, Llanrhaeadr, Tregynon and Kerry.
This initial voucher scheme has had a profound effect across Montgomeryshire – enabling over 21,000 homes and businesses to have access to ultrafast broadband, and taking our gigabit coverage to 64%. However, this only goes so far. This is why the Government’s Type C procurement contracts are now being rolled out across the UK, where a single supplier will target areas to design, build and operate the new gigabit network.
Openreach have been announced as the preferred bidder for Type C areas across Montgomeryshire, which will see over £100m of investment into our network. This is huge news, and will see our gigabit network coverage boosted to 90% across the county. This also sees the UK Government delivering on what we promised – a next-generation gigabit broadband network no matter how rural or isolated, levelling up the digital playing field across Wales.
