Superfast broadband for more homes and businesses

The Welsh government wants access to superfast broadband for 96% of premises in Wales by the end of spring 2016

Another 30,000 homes and businesses in six communities are being given access to superfast broadband this week.

New exchanges have been set up in Moelfre, Valley and Llangoed on Anglesey, Merthyr Tydfil, Ynysowen in Merthyr county and Ogmore Valley.

The Superfast Cymru partnership plans to give 96% of premises in Wales access to superfast broadband by the end of spring 2016.

It aims to take it to areas not covered by commercial plans.

The announcement on the latest new exchanges was made by Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology Ken Skates on a visit to Superfast Cymru's new broadband HQ in Cardiff.

"Our plans for superfast fibre are the most ambitious in the UK providing faster broadband to a great proportion of premises more quickly," he said.

"In January I announced that 100,000 premises had already been connected and by the time the project is finished in 2016, 96% of Wales will have access to fast fibre broadband as a result of commercial roll-outs and Superfast Cymru.

"That won't just put Wales ahead of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland but the USA and Japan."

Engineers have installed more than 500km (310 miles) of fibre cable since the project was launched in July 2012.

A report last year said Wales had the lowest proportion of premises in the UK with access to superfast broadband.

In its annual Communications Market Report: Wales, regulator Ofcom said 48% of premises in Wales had access, compared to a 73% UK average.

The project is a partnership between Welsh government and BT, and the UK government has also invested tens of millions of pounds.