Janet Finch-Saunders AM is calling on the Welsh Government to commit to giving businesses in Wales the broadband they need to thrive.
This follows the written statement issued by Kirsty Williams AM, Cabinet Secretary for Education, in which she highlights the fact that the Welsh Government is committed to invest more in school broadband, ensuring that schools are ready to use online facilities.
Janet said:
“It could be seen as good news that all primary schools in Wales now have a broadband service of at least 10 Megabits per second, however, this is miles off the superfast levels which are actually 30 Megabits per second and upwards.
“Cleary, our schools are stuck on the wrong side of the Wales wide digital divide: being served by a superslow service.
“I have been calling for superfast broadband to be made available to 100% of premises in Wales, so welcome Kirsty Williams, Cabinet Secretary for Education’s announcement that £5 million is to be invested in increasing broadband speeds in schools.
“If the Welsh Government can invest in trying to bring our schools’ infrastructure into the 21st century, why can’t they offer a same commitment to businesses across Wales?
“Earlier this week I joined with over 7,000 members of the Wales Tourism Alliance (WTA) in calling for greater support for businesses such as a roll out of superfast broadband to 100% of premises in Wales.
“Shockingly, some Aberconwy businesses have such slow broadband speeds that customers are complaining and trade is having to be turned away.
“This really is a case of business broadband blues.
“Its time for the Welsh Government to listen to the industry, and give a broadband boost to businesses across Wales”.
ENDS
Notes:
Over 94,000 in rural areas of Wales cannot get a connection of over 10 Megabits
Full Transcript: Welsh Conservatives Debate: Broadband Access
Document attached:
- Written statement issued by Kirsty Williams AM, Cabinet Secretary for Education 08/05/17