15 March 2006

BT Group has been appointed as the firm that will help Wales attain 100 per cent broadband coverage to become one of the first countries in the world to have broadband available everywhere.

'Broadband blackspots' across the country will receive access to broadband as part of the Welsh assembly government's regional innovative broadband support scheme (Ribs).

Some 10,000 businesses and households will benefit from access to broadband connections to the Internet.

Once complete, all Welsh homes and businesses will have access to fast downloads, video conferencing and voice over Internet protocol (Voip) among other applications.

Minister Andrew Davies commented that uptake of broadband in Wales has more than doubled over the last year.

"Today's announcement will lead to further growth in broadband uptake as these final unviable exchange areas are enabled," he said, adding that the "landmark announcement" will help the country meet its target of developing a competitive and sustainable broadband infrastructure by March 2007.

He noted that in Ireland only 18 per cent of the population have access to broadband.

"With Wales clearly leading the way in broadband access, we are setting the scene for continued and sustainable growth as an innovative, knowledge economy that is not only benefiting indigenous companies, but attracting inward investment from some of the UK's and Europe's best businesses," Mr Davies concluded.

© Adfero Ltd

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