A NEWCASTLE Emlyn-based social enterprise group are supporting rural communities by enhancing digital communication and connectivity across mid and south Wales post-pandemic.

Telemat IT Support, based at Antur Teifi Business Park, has won contracts to install IoT (Internet of Things) and LoRaWAN technology in a bid to support local authority aspirations for a network of ‘Smart Towns’ focused on economic growth.

Carmarthenshire’s 10 rural market towns will have IoT applications developed and Brecon, Llanwrtyd Wells, Presteigne, Aberaeron, Llandysul, Lampeter, New Quay and Tregaron will all have Town Wi-Fi installed.

Business Development Manager Kevin Harrington said: “Telemat is delighted to be supporting the roll-out and uptake of Internet of Things applications and Town Wi-Fi.

“Developing Smart Towns technologies will help local authorities and town councils and traders gather important visitor data and provide better services to the public.”

“High streets have been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic and recent inflationary pressures.

“As our parent company Antur Cymru is a social enterprise, this project fits well with our strategic goal of supporting economic development in rural parts of Wales.”