Welsh Government’s broadband fiasco needs solving now says Monmouth MS

The people of Monmouthshire are being kept in the dark by the Welsh Government’s handling of its broadband rollout, warn Welsh Conservative politicians.

The Welsh Government is currently rolling out its full-fibre broadband programme across the whole of Wales, with the government hosting a postcode checker on its website to allow individuals to ascertain if their premises will be included.

But the Welsh Government has now removed the postcode checker, causing huge concern and worry to residents in the Monmouth constituency.

Speaking in the Welsh Parliament, Peter Fox, the Member of the Senedd for Monmouth, said: “More and more work—and indeed other daily activities—are shifting online, meaning having a fast broadband speech is absolutely crucial.

“But the Welsh Government’s actions mean that many people haven’t a clue if their premises will be included in the government’s rollout. Some people have instead attempted to use Openreach’s checker, but it fails to distinguish between premises being connected through the Welsh Government-funded rollout programme and Openreach’s commercial rollout.

“I have urged the First Minister to act quickly to address people’s concerns and ensure the full-fibre broadband rollout reaches the length and breadth of the Monmouth constituency.”

Cllr Sara Jones, who is Deputy Leader of Monmouthshire County Council and Cabinet Member for Economy, added: “Leaving constituents across Monmouthshire utterly perplexed as to whether their properties will be included in the full-fibre rollout is not acceptable.

“Over the past few weeks, I have been contacted by anxious constituents who’ve expressed real concerns over this lack of transparency. 

“We are calling on Ministers to move quickly to address people’s concerns, giving them clarity on what is currently an opaque situation.”