Internet speed boost for Welsh economy

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A £30 million open access network which will improve high speed internet connections across North Wales has officially been launched.

The FibreSpeed initiative, claimed to be a unique collaboration between the public and private sectors, will bring high speed communication services to business parks and other areas through north Wales.

Optic fibre cable has already been laid for 200 miles, between Holyhead in Anglesey and the UK’s core network in Manchester.

The project is part of a long-term Welsh Assembly Government plan to make affordable high bandwidth services across Wales and improve business, growth and innovation.

Currently, high speed services in North Wales can be six times more expensive than in London and the South East.

Service providers will also have the potential to extend the network to more rural areas using their own network infrastructure or wireless services.

“FibreSpeed will allow North Wales to compete on a level playing field with the rest of the UK for the first time,” said FibreSpeed chief executive Chris Smedley.

“Its world class infrastructure will create a new local telecoms market while giving businesses the opportunity to innovate, grow or relocate to the region.”

It has been funded by investment from the Welsh Assembly Government, European regional development funds and Geo Networks Ltd.

Ieuan Wyn Jones, Deputy First Minister of Wales, said of networks like FibreSpeed: “They allow the public and private sectors to share infrastructure.

“And through selling space to service providers, see the benefits cascade down to businesses and homes in the form of high speed connections and lower bills.”

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