Final Countdown to "Broadband Monmouthshire"

3.59.06pm GMT Thu 16th Mar 2006

Rural villages in Monmouthshire will soon benefit from Broadband

Monmouthshire is set to become a broadband county by October of this year when the three remaining rural 'broadband blackholes' are enabled with the super fast Internet technology.

Michael German, leader of the Liberal Democrats in the National Assembly, said: "This news will come as relief to residents in Skenfrith, Llantillio Crossenny and Cross Ash areas who have been waiting for years for broadband to arrive in their communities."

The Assembly Government's Regional Innovative Broadband Support Scheme (RIBS) is designed to enable those areas of Wales described as 'broadband blackspots'. RIBS is part-financed by the European Union Objective One Programme through the Welsh Assembly Government.

Commenting on the announcement by the Welsh Assembly Government that BT had been awarded the contract to enable the least three remaining exchanges in the county, Mr. German added, "I am delighted that this contract has been awarded; rural Wales has waited too log for this vital business tool. Work can now begin to ensure that those in my constituency, and other rural areas in Wales, who have previously been unable to access broadband technology will be able to do so in the near future."

BT will enable the three exchanges in two phases. During the summer the exchanges will be equipped with the new technology.

"However", added, Mr. German, "There will be a few people who because of distance form the exchange will not at present get broadband. BT on their second phase will look at every individual circumstance and enable every home to take up the new services. People should register their details on the Broadband Brokerage website at www.bbwo.org.uk or www.abec.org.uk in order to make sure they are not left out."

NOTES:

• Link to the announcement on the Web site of the National Assembly for Wales: "Wales to achieve blanket broadband coverage"

http://www.broadband.wales.gov.uk/fe_irc/details.asp?ircid=124

• BT has provided the dates below for enablement of the exchanges. These dates take into account the varying technical requirements (e.g. new cables required) of each exchange in order to become enabled

Follow this link for further information: http://www.broadband.wales.gov.uk/fe/default_bb.asp?n1=49&n2=51&n3=58&n4=73&n5=322&n6=560