RESIDENTS in parts of Cardigan are being given the chance to sign up to a scheme aimed at installing ultrafast broadband.

The first stage of the UK Government’s pilot scheme to bring ultrafast broadband to West Wales has been completed.

Residents and businesses were given until October 31, 2020 to register with the Broadband Upgrade Fund for vouchers worth up to £ 3,500 to be used towards the cost of installing fast, reliable broadband connections to their premises.

The second stage is now underway with community co-ordinators talking to suppliers who have expressed an interest in connecting residents to ultrafast broadband.

There are several suppliers for each part of Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire and it is up to the Community Co-ordinators to recommend to residents which supplier best suits the area’s needs.

The third stage will be the signing of a contract or agreement with the chosen supplier, so that they can then plan and complete the work.

A sample project is based on Gwbert Road in Cardigan, where 20 residents have registered for the Broadband Upgrade Fund.

Openreach has expressed an interest in bringing ultrafast broadband to this group but want to roll it in to a larger project covering Grove Park, Cwnc Y Dintir, Maes Y Dderwen, Melin Y Dre, Felin Ban, Verwig Road and Melin Y Coed.

If any residents of these areas have registered for the Broadband Upgrade Fund or want to be included in the Openreach project, please contact the Community Co-ordinator, Malcolm Price, on malcolmprice@hotmail.com