PLANS for faster internet connections in some of Powys’ most isolated locations, which stalled after a broadband provider was placed into administration, could now be sped up after a successful takeover.

Residents in remote areas of Radnorshire and Montgomeryshire were set to be connected to the fibre optic network by Broadway Partners this year, but when they fell into administration in June, there were fears the project would judder to a complete halt.

However, Voneus Broadbrand has now taken over Broadway Partners, so there is fresh hope that rural communities will soon have access to ultra-fast broadband.

The group will be funded with up to £250 million to help implement rural networks and Fay Jones, MP for Brecon and Radnorshire, has welcomed the takeover.

OTHER NEWS:

“I welcome news that collapsed broadband provider Broadway Partners is set to be taken over by Voneus Broadband,” said Ms Jones.

“Constituents who were set to be connected up to the fibre network by Broadway Partners in areas including Llanwrthwl, Presteigne and Knighton will, I am sure, especially welcome this development, but it is important that we see the specifics which is what I and my colleague, Iain McIntosh, will be seeking in our meeting with Voneus in the coming weeks.

“I hope this game-changing connectivity will make a real difference to residents’ lives all across Brecon and Radnorshire in being able to more reliably work and access services such as online banking from home, so I look forward to seeing future proposals as well.”

Broadway Partners had been working on eight community schemes in the county with the aim of bringing ultrafast fibre connections to more homes. It had also been expected to become the supplier for several others that were still in the initial stages.

The only areas where homes had already been connected by Broadway Partners are Aberedw and Glascwm, both near Builth Wells. Customers in these areas have been advised by the company and its administrators, Teneo, that its network is still functioning and its usual customer service channels remain open.

The other Powys communities that Broadway Partners had been working with are Llanafan Fawr and Llanwrthwl, near Builth and Rhayader respectively, Dwyriw and Manafon, near Welshpool, Llangunllo and Whitton, near Presteigne and Knighton, as well as Nantmel, Rhayader, New Radnor and Painscastle.

Ms Jones will now be meeting with Voneus to help ensure connectivity is delivered to residents so they can more reliably work from home and access key online services more readily and reliably.

Councillor McIntosh, who represents the Yscir with Honddu Isaf and Llanddew ward on Powys County Council, will also attend.

Ms Jones says she will be particularly interested in understanding the services they currently provide, their delivery of existing proposals and plans for future fibre projects throughout her constituency.

Broadway Partners had been operating in Scotland and Wales since its launch in 2016. The company had set an ambitious target of connecting 250,000 homes and businesses by 2025.

County Times:

Benji Dymant, joint administrator at Teneo, said: “Following significant investment in ultrafast full fibre broadband, the sector has been facing into a number of adverse macroeconomic issues, including raising interest rates and inflation, in a highly competitive environment.

“Despite having successfully connected a range of outlying communities to its network, Broadway has not been immune to the impact of these issues.

“As a result, it's been necessary to file for administration to facilitate a restructure of the business and provide a stable platform to affect a sale.”

Anyone in the Powys communities affected, who has questions about their community broadband schemes, should contact broadband@powys.co.uk.