£12.5 million project to help Welsh businesses make the most of superfast broadband unveiled

The Welsh Government has unveiled a new £12.5 million programme aimed at ensuring businesses in Wales maximise the opportunities of superfast broadband.

Wales is already leading the way among the UK’s devolved nations in terms of the availability of superfast broadband. 79 per cent of Welsh premises are now able to access it as a result of the Superfast Cymru project.

This new scheme will run for five years and support SMEs to understand, adopt and exploit superfast broadband. It’s being funded by the Welsh Government, local authorities and the European Development Fund.

Julie James, deputy minister for skills and technology, said: “We are making tremendous progress in bringing superfast broadband across Wales.

“To reap the maximum economic benefit from this investment, it is simply not enough for businesses to take-up superfast broadband.  To take full advantage of the superfast-enabled technologies, businesses need to use them to change and improve the way they work.

“It is not just about doing things quicker; it is about doing things smarter. The £12.5m project I am announcing today will help businesses do just that, ensuring they make the most of what superfast broadband can offer.”

Finance Minister Jane Hutt added: “European funding has played a key role in bringing superfast broadband to communities across Wales through Superfast Cymru.

“As a pro-business government, we want to see businesses make the most of this opportunity so that the economic benefits are maximised, and I am pleased that further EU funding will support this scheme.

”This project will help businesses to change the way they operate to achieve economic benefits not only for their business but for Wales as a whole.”

Image credit: Nathan E Photography