Dear Resident,
Following my e-newsletter last week I wanted to provide a more detailed update on developments regarding broadband. According to BT, the first area of Montgomeryshire to be upgraded to receive fibre to the cabinet is Machynlleth which will be underway next month. The Superfast Cymru team are encouraging people to register for the take up of fibre broadband on their website, if you would like to register your interest visitwww.superfast-cymru.com. For the latest rollout plans for your area you can check out the "where and when" page of the website which includes a coverage map so you can check when fibre broadband is coming to your area. It provides details of roll-out plans up to March 2015. You can also use the broadband availability checker at www.dslchecker.bt.com.
According to BT the fibre network will not necessarily follow the same pattern as the existing network, BT states that the new network will mainly use fibre to the cabinet but other technologies are also being used to ensure faster speeds are delivered. BT further confirms that for some areas, where it will be harder to reach with a fibre-optic cable, BT will look at using alternative technologies. There will most certainly be areas of Montgomeryshire that will be harder to reach, it is encouraging at this stage that BT are at least thinking ahead and looking at alternative technologies. I will continue to pursue this and question BT.
Glyn Davies, MP and I have a one-to-one meeting with the BT Wales Director, Ann Beynon, next month to specifically discuss Montgomeryshire issues. I will be raising the point of delivering faster broadband to harder to reach areas at this meeting and it will be an opportunity to question her further. A number of you have already contacted me with questions and issues to raise at the meeting, which I am more than happy to do and I will keep you informed.
The Welsh Audit Office is conducting a review of the Superfast Cymru project which questions "Is the Welsh Government's approach to rolling out broadband infrastructure to households and businesses likely to deliver its intended benefits?" The Wales Audit Office study team, who are carrying out the review, will consider the effectiveness of the Welsh Government's strategy and targets; its financial planning and governance structures for the programme; the contractual arrangements with BT for the Superfast Cymru programme; as well as the Welsh Government's procurement processes, risk management arrangements, and the monitoring and evaluation of the contract. You can find more details on their website, here.
I hope you find this update useful and I will update you further when I have more information.
Best wishes,
Russell George