Russell George has this week (Wednesday 2nd November) led a debate in the National Assembly for Wales urging the Welsh Government to honour its promise to deliver universal broadband.
Russell has been a vocal advocate for the rollout of high speed broadband and improved mobile coverage across Mid Wales.
Speaking after the debate in the Senedd, during which he criticised the Welsh Government’s failure to honour its commitment to deliver universal access to superfast broadband by 2015, Mr George said:
“I was pleased to lead a debate in the Senedd this week to highlight the lack of fast and reliable broadband which I and many people in Montgomeryshire face.
“In spite of the Welsh Government’s positive aim of delivering universal access to fibre broadband by 2015, I and many others remain frustrated that we are still waiting for improvements to reach us.
“We are now in 2016 and the reality is that we are still some way off providing universal access to next generation broadband.
“This is a Welsh Government which has over-promised and under-delivered. The goalposts have been repeatedly moved, people have been fobbed off, and businesses have been unable to plan for the future.
“Welsh Government Ministers have been full of warm words and good intentions but now it is time for concrete action because hot air and empty promises won’t get us very far.
“Closely collaborating with the regulator and network operators; reforming the planning system; and putting in place a mobile action plan which addresses market failure – these are some of the measures which are desperately needed to actually deliver the 21st Century digital connectivity which some of our urban counterparts currently enjoy.
“During the debate, I was pleased to provide details of the Scottish Government's plan to improve mobile coverage, and asked the Welsh Government Minister to adopt a similar plan for Wales.
“Whether connecting with family and friends, helping children to study from home, or driving growth for local businesses, digital connectivity is now no longer a luxury for the people of Mid Wales. It is critical to our day-to-day lives and Powys can no longer afford to be the poor man or woman of Wales when it comes to broadband connectivity and mobile coverage.
“For my part, I will continue my campaign until the digital divide has been eradicated and I was pleased that the Minister has agreed to join me in Montgomeryshire to meet with residents and businesses who are still waiting to receive fibre broadband."