Wales looks to take a lead in next-generation broadband
Monday 28 February 2011 18:05:41 by John Hunt

Wales has started the procurement process by which it plans to take the lead in super-fast broadband services that will be available in the UK. The country has ambitious plans to deliver a minimum speed of 30meg broadband to all businesses by mid-2016 and all households by 2020. This will put Wales on target for EU goals for next-generation broadband which require all households to be able to receive at least 30Mbps broadband by 2020, and 50% should connect at speeds of 100Mbps or above.

An official procurement notice was put out today to the Official Journal of the European Union, looking to find a best value contract which will stimulate demand and ensure complete coverage. Full details of the proposals can be found on the Digital Wales website.

"To succeed in the modern economy Wales needs a first class, globally competitive next generation broadband network. That is why we have set a target of getting next-generation broadband in all Welsh homes and business. Our new economic policy - 'Economic Renewal: a new direction' – sets out how we will help support businesses and create the right kind of infrastructure to grow our economy. Next generation broadband is a key part of this vision and the formal procurement process is now underway."

Ieuan Wyn Jones, (Deputy First Minister) Welsh Assembly Government

Wales does have ambitious plans that should lead to fibre-to-the-home being deployed to many places as this will be one of the only technologies that can deliver the access speeds required to meet the targets of the Welsh Government, and allow faster services up to 100meg to be deployed in the future.