Broadband exchanges across Powys are to be upgraded in the next phase of a roll-out of fibre broadband that will increase speeds for 30,000 people in Powys.

Broadband installation company Openreach has announced the plans today, that will see full fibre broadband extended to 415,000 homes across Wales.

The company’s updated build plan is intended to help the UK Government hit a target of delivering ‘gigabit capable broadband’ to 85 per cent of the UK by 2025 and it follows an extended investment commitment by its parent, BT Group.

Today’s announcement expands on Openreach’s existing nationwide build plans, which already include hundreds of thousands more premises in 100 other Welsh cities, towns and villages. The company is also working in partnership with Welsh Government to reach those that are in the final five per cent who will not be in reach of the exchanges.

The plans also include an extension to the company’s biggest ever recruitment drive, with a further 1,000 new roles being created in 2021 on top of the 2,500 jobs which were announced in December 2020 – of which around 100 were across Wales.

Connie Dixon, Openreach’s regional director for Wales, said: “Building a new Ultrafast broadband network across Wales is a massive challenge and some parts of the country will inevitably require public funding. But our expanded build plan means taxpayer subsidies can be limited to only the hardest to connect homes and businesses. And with investments from other network builders, we’d hope to see that shrink further.

“This is a hugely complex, nationwide engineering project – second only to HS2 in terms of investment. It will help level-up the UK because the impact of Full Fibre broadband stretches from increased economic prosperity and international competitiveness, to higher employment and environmental benefits. We’re also delighted to continue bucking the national trend by creating more Welsh jobs, with apprentices joining in their droves to start their careers as engineers.

“We’ll publish further location details and timescales on our website as the detailed surveys and planning are completed and the build progresses. In the meantime, don’t forget that you can also check what’s already available which includes the thousands of homes and businesses across Wales that can already access Full Fibre.”

The upgrades in Powys are in:

  • Builth Wells
  • Crickhowell
  • Caersws
  • Hay On Wye
  • Newtown
  • Presteigne
  • Machynlleth
  • Talgarth
  • Knighton
  • Brecon
  • Llandrindod Wells
  • Llanidloes
  • Forden
  • Glantawe

Secretary of State for Wales, Simon Hart, said: “First class digital infrastructure is critical to achieving social and economic prosperity for our communities and it is vital that all areas of Wales have the connectivity they need to flourish.

“The UK Government is committed to boosting access to broadband for people and businesses across Wales and projects like the one being carried out by Openreach are a huge step forward in achieving that goal.”

Welcoming the announcement, Lee Waters, Welsh Government Deputy Minister for Climate Change, said: “Fast, reliable broadband is more important than ever, so seeing more homes and businesses set to be connected is definitely welcome.