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Welsh Broadband Support Scheme causes confusion
Residents and ISPs are unsure who is responsible for covering the cost of broadband upgrades.
The Broadband Support Scheme (BSS) allows householders to apply for up to £1,000 in funding to install or upgrade to a connection that offers speeds of 2Mbps. Originally, the bill was covered by consumers before being reimbursed by the government.
However, a spokesman for the administration told Br0kenTeleph0n3 that Welsh Business Minister Edwina Hart recently decided internet service providers (ISPs) could be paid directly by the BSS, to prevent applicants being financially disadvantaged after shelling out for the work.
But Annette Burgess, managing director of north Wales wireless broadband outfit Exwavia, revealed ISPs and homeowners have been left in the dark about where the responsibility for submitting and receiving the reimbursement should lie.
She called on the Welsh government to urgently clarify the situation and said in some instances Exwavia has carried out work where neither it nor the client is sure who will be paying.
Ms Burgess is keen to know for certain if her company is being contracted by the administration and if credit references for the BSS should be sought before installations are initiated.
"Whilst I understand the reasons and in fact support you on this change, I am absolutely shocked that you would not engage the suppliers who are installing [broadband] in Wales," she told the government.
"This effort may be a complete waste of time for Exwavia and the residents of Anglesey if we can't bring the stakeholders together to run this scheme successfully and within the rules outlined."
Some £2 million has been allocated to the BSS to boost speeds in Wales's remaining broadband not spots and slow spots and talks are underway to access additional funding from the European Development Plan.
Around 8,500 properties have so far benefited from Regional Innovative Broadband Support project investment.