The Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) has outlined proposals to improve broadband access and speeds across the country as part of its aim to capitalise on the digital age.

In its Digital Wales Delivery Plan, the administration said it will ensure all residents and businesses in the principality gain access to next-generation broadband with speeds of at least 30Mbps by 2020.

This follows on from the UK government's target of delivering the best super-fast broadband network in Europe by 2015, with this goal set to be achieved thanks to £830 million of public sector money.

As well as its desire to upgrade broadband infrastructure, the WAG wants to reduce rates of digital exclusion among adults from the current level of 34 per cent to 25 per cent in four years' time.

All students aged between 14 and 16 will be required to carry out information and communication technology (ICT) work to gain a formally-accredited qualification.

Research and development projects and other innovations from companies in the ICT sector will also be increased under the proposals.

In total, 21 specific goals have been identified by the WAG across its five key priority areas - the economy, public services, inclusion, skills and infrastructure.

Lesley Griffiths, deputy minister for science, innovation and skills, said the strategy can create "real economic and social benefits" for Welsh residents and businesses.

"The delivery plan illustrates that a great deal of work is already underway across all ministerial portfolios," she commented.

"It will, however, require co-ordinated action and support from partners across Wales and we will work constructively with those partners at every stage throughout the delivery of this plan."

Research published by Ofcom last summer showed Wales is still lagging behind the rest of the UK in terms of broadband access.

Some 64 per cent of Welsh households are connected to the technology, compared with 71 per cent across the UK as a whole.

However, take-up of mobile broadband services in Wales was found to be higher than in England, Scotland or Northern Ireland at 16 per cent. 

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