The first government meeting has been held to discuss increasing fibre optic broadband access in Wales.

Cheryl Gillan, the Welsh secretary, along with Wales Office minister David Jones, deputy first minister Ieuan Wyn Jones and deputy science, innovation and skills minister Lesley Griffiths, met with UK broadband minister Ed Vaizey on Tuesday (December 7th 2010).

It followed the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition's pledge to give the UK the best broadband network in Europe by 2015.

Speaking after the talks, Ms Gillan said people across Wales will have access to super-fast broadband in five years' time and stated the technology is "vital" to economic growth.

"The next steps will be for Welsh Assembly and Broadband Delivery UK officials to meet and discuss various aspects of potential pilot schemes," she added.

Wales missed out on the first round of fibre optic broadband trials, which were instead awarded to Cumbria, Herefordshire and North Yorkshire, as well as the Highlands and Islands.

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