Need advice? Call our experts free on
0800 090 1342
Wales granted £56.9m in broadband funding
The money could lead to super-fast broadband being delivered to 90 per cent of Welsh properties.
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced the country's portion of the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition's £530 million broadband fund as the cabinet held a meeting in south Wales.
Provided it matches the investment, the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) will be able to roll out super-fast access to the majority of properties and extend minimum speeds of 2Mbps to all residents and businesses.
It will be left up to the WAG to decide exactly how this money will be spent.
The news comes after the Wales Office published a report revealing that lack of adequate broadband service is the number one frustration for locals in rural Welsh communities.
Wales Office Minister David Jones, who was charged with leading the taskforce that conducted the study, revealed broadband ranked above the closure of shops and post offices, and overly strict red tape regulation on the list of top annoyances.
News of the significant investment has been welcomed by Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan, who said the funding is evidence of the government's commitment to ensuring that Wales has the necessary infrastructure in place to grow.
"Boosting economic growth in Wales is my number one priority," she commented. "We will continue to work in partnership with the Welsh government on the delivery of super-fast broadband across Wales."
Mr Jones has also greeted the multimillion-pound funding package, which he claimed will be applauded by some of the nation's most rural communities.
As well as supporting "key local services", the politician said reliable broadband will help to open up a "world of possibilities" for businesses in remote locations, enabling them to compete with firms from around the world.
"It is heartening to see the Welsh rural economy adapting and finding new ways of connecting with international customers," Mr Jones added.