Broadband decision could put Ceredigion at a double disadvantage (From Tivyside Advertiser)

Broadband decision could put Ceredigion at a double disadvantage

2:52pm Friday 25th January 2013 in News

Elin Jones AM has accused the Welsh Government of putting Ceredigion at a double disadvantage, after the county was not included in the first wave of next-generation broadband improvements in Wales.

Last week, the Welsh Government announced that it had asked BT to begin the roll-out of fibre broadband to those counties with enterprise zones.

However, since there are currently no such zones in Ceredigion, the county will have to wait until later in the Superfast Cymru project before receiving fibre connections.

Ceredigion AM Elin Jones raised her concerns with the First Minister at the Senedd this week.

She said: "We are one of the most deprived counties in Wales in terms of broadband availability, and the decision to address those counties with local enterprise zones first of all has put us at a double disadvantage.

"When I challenged the First Minister on this very issue, I’m pleased that he offered to consider what other opportunities could be available to improve the availability of fast and reliable broadband connections in Ceredigion".

Elin Jones also formally raised the matter with the Business Minister at the Senedd.

She added: "Following the successful creation of a local growth zone in Powys, I have been calling for a similar zone to be established in Ceredigion. When I questioned the Business Minister directly about this possibility, she indicated that she would ask her officials to consider the feasibility of establishing a local growth zone in Ceredigion.

"This would not only bring certain economic benefits to the area, but would also make Ceredigion one of the priority areas for the roll-out of fibre broadband."