Parts of rural Mid-Wales have been 'left in the lurch' by the Welsh Government's latest rollout of Superfast Broadband, according to a Montgomeryshire's AM.

The Welsh Government announced that two contracts for phase two of it's highly anticipated high-speed broadband scheme, which aims to connect properties in remote locations to the superfast network, had been awarded to BT Openreach. One contract for 'East Wales' is still to be awarded.

According to the Welsh Government, the completion of phase one of the scheme earlier this year meant that 92% of all properties in Wales had access to superfast internet connections.

However Montgomeryshire AM Russell George said the process left 'more questions than answers' with the two contracts awarded only covering 16% of the properties targeted by the scheme.

"The whole delivery of phase two of superfast broadband delivery in Wales has fallen behind schedule and the result is that a significant minority of people in rural Montgomeryshire have been left in the lurch," he said.

"There should have been a seamless transition between phase one and two of the scheme but nine months has gone by since the end of phase 1 of the scheme, serving to add to the frustration of people who remain without fibre broadband.

"The fact of the matter is that many homes and businesses in rural Mid Wales still can't enjoy the high speed broadband which is enjoyed by our urban neighbours and a significant proportion of households and businesses across Wales are being left in limbo by unacceptable delays in the award of phase 2 contracts."

Speaking after the announcement on Tuesday, October 23, Leader of the House with responsibility for digital Julie James said the scheme had 'transformed the digital landscape of Wales' but admitted more work needed to be done.

“The broadband market in Wales has seen a rapid change over the last five years. Superfast Cymru has transformed the digital landscape of Wales with the vast majority of premises across the country able to access superfast broadband," she said.

“But there is more to do to reach the remaining premises. Given the scale of the task in providing fast reliable broadband to those premises currently unable to access it we are going to need a range of interventions in future. There is no one size fits all solution.

“This will include publicly funded roll-outs as announced today, our ABC and ultrafast voucher schemes and support for community projects through our voucher schemes. For many a community based scheme is going to be the best route to fast broadband connectivity. We will work with communities and local authorities to provide advice and funding to bring fast broadband where it’s needed.”

The Welsh Government says an extra 16,000 properties will be connected as a result of the two contracts awarded so far.

They say evaluation of tenders for the area covering East Wales is 'ongoing' and they say a further announcement will be made once a decision has been taken.