Written question WQ96950
- Asked by
- Samuel KurtzConservative
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 7 days
Question
What is the Welsh Government doing to enforce or incentivise minimum broadband speeds in rural areas where connectivity is still a barrier to business growth?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
Responsibility for improving broadband connectivity in Wales where the market does not reach rests with the UK Government. The UK Government has set an ambitious target of full gigabit coverage by 2032. It is delivering in Wales through its flagship £5 billion Project Gigabit programme.
Despite telecommunications not being devolved to Wales, we have helped provide access to gigabit capable broadband to more than 44,000 properties across Wales through our full fibre rollout (2019 to 2023). Our Digital strategy for Wales outlines how we will continue to use the levers at our disposal to support businesses, homes and the public sector in Wales to receive the connectivity they need.
We have developed a business case for reinvesting returned funds from our Superfast Cymru roll-out to improve digital connectivity at premises that do not have access to at least superfast broadband speeds (30Mbps).
Our Local Broadband Fund has awarded over £11 million to deliver 10 broadband schemes across Wales.
Since our Access Broadband Cymru scheme reopened to applications on 7 May 2025, £129,818 has been claimed in grants and offers of funding have been made to 479 applicants to improve connectivity at premises across Wales.