CLA hails major Welsh fibre optic broadband investment

A major investment in Welsh super-fast broadband has been welcomed by rural campaign group the Country Land and Business Association (CLA).

BT has been awarded the £425 million contract to deploy the technology to around 96 per cent of homes and businesses in Wales, with the CLA declaring the decision had been "a long time coming".

Ross Murray, vice president of the CLA and a resident of rural Monmouthshire, said fibre optic broadband is a "vital service" and the lack of high-speed connectivity has put businesses across the country at a substantial disadvantage.

Confirmation that the deployment is set to be finished by the end of 2015 is particularly welcome, he stated.

Mr Murray insisted: "The priority now is for the government and BT to address the areas in Wales that currently receive no broadband or very slow speeds."

The CLA chief called for the public and private sector partners to ensure speeds are not simply increased for the ten to 15 per cent of properties that already have super-fast broadband.

In addition, he argued penalties must be imposed if BT fails to meet its time and coverage requirements, and said payments to the company must be performance-related.