BT to deliver record Welsh broadband project
19th July 2012
A new ambitious project is set to "transform the
broadband landscape in Wales" as the Welsh Government and BT
announced today (Thursday) plans to bring fibre broadband to the
country.
This project - which is the largest partnership of its kind in
the UK - has been warmly welcomed by the CWU for both its
job-creation potential and the benefit it will bring to the local
economy. It will use public and private funds to deliver fibre
broadband to parts of the country not covered by commercial plans,
with investment totalling £425 million. The project is the
next phase in the delivery of the Welsh Government's commitment
to make high speed broadband available across the country. It will
build on BT's existing investment with the aim being that 96
per cent of Welsh homes and businesses will have access to world
class broadband speeds of up to 80Mbps by the end of 2015.
Andy Kerr, CWU deputy general secretary,
was at the launch in Cardiff and said: "It's fantastic to
see the huge investment both the Welsh Government and BT are
making. It is also a major vote of confidence in the skills and
experience of our members who will deliver faster broadband
services right across Wales. This will help stimulate the Welsh
economy, create jobs and is something I feel we can all be proud
of."
As a result of winning the contract, BT will create 50 new jobs
and 100 new apprenticeships. 320 existing jobs will also be
protected as a result of the project. In addition, the company will
offer 900 young people a week's work experience.
Wales' First Minister, Carwyn Jones, said:
"This is an incredibly important agreement for Wales. Our
partnership with BT will see to it that Wales does more than simply
catch up with our neighbours; we intend to catch-up, overtake and
then set the pace that others will strive to match. The project
will transform the broadband landscape across Wales and ensure that
local businesses can become global businesses. It will ensure that
firms remain in Wales and it will also attract a more diverse range
of high growth, high value companies to the country across all our
key sectors from tourism to high end manufacturing."
Fibre broadband provides speeds that are approximately 15 times
faster than those available in Wales today so will provide a
significant boost to homes and businesses across Wales.
Liv Garfield, chief executive of Openreach,
BT's local network business which will be deploying the
infrastructure, added: "This project will position Wales as a
broadband leader and we are delighted to have signed this contract
with the Welsh Government to make it happen. Wales will become one
of the best connected countries in the world and will be ahead of
the chasing pack. The Welsh Government has shown great vision and
we are certain that will pay off in terms of economic growth. The
apprenticeships and work experience that we're offering will
mean the roll-out of this next generation network will inspire the
next generation of workers."
For more details read the press release in full.
