The problem of broadband connectivity in rural Wales has been a blight on lives and business for many years. Pembrokeshire, for example, is 20th out of the 22 local authorities in terms of number of premises in Wales where broadband infrastructure operators are present.
In the Chamber today (January 22), Leader of the Opposition and Preseli Pembrokeshire AM challenged the Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport on the provision of broadband internet services.
He gave the example of Mynachlog-ddu in his constituency.
“Residents here are faced with slow and intermittent broadband, coupled with stranded technology where wires are – effectively – hanging on poles.”
Mr Davies acknowledged the Welsh Government’s “Rural Broadband Fund”, before asking the Deputy Minister how he intends to ensure that this funding reaches counties such as Pembrokeshire.
He added:
“When that much needed funding will be delivered so that communities like Mynachlog-ddu can be confident that their situation is being addressed?”
The Minister attempted to shrug off any responsibility he or his Labour administration has for this failure on the full rollout of superfast broadband.
However, in 2011, the UK Government began the process and gave the Welsh Government £57 million to match fund to deliver the Superfast Cymru programme, some 11 per cent of all UK funding. A further £56 million followed in 2017 to fill in the hardest-to-reach areas for the Welsh Government to deliver.
Speaking later, Mr Davies said:
“It was the UK Government that kick-started this, but it was the Welsh Labour Government’s job to deliver it.
“It is disingenuous for the Deputy Minister to descend into partisan party politics when hardworking businesspeople, and others, rely on this technology to work, to grow the Welsh economy, and to contribute to a 21st-century Wales.
“He must acknowledge that it is the Welsh Labour Government, not Westminster, which is failing rural residents who are at a disadvantage compared to those fortunate to be closer to a larger town.
“In this digital age, when we are required to do so much online, this is unacceptable.”