I thought I would be a good time to update you on the work that is being done to improve mobile and broadband in mid Wales, writes Russell George MS.

Throughout my time as your local representative in the Senedd, I have been involved in campaigning for better broadband and mobile connectivity for Montgomeryshire.

Although good progress has been made, there is more work to do.

Craig Williams MP and I have been supporting plans for 16 new mobile masts across Montgomeryshire. These Emergency Services Network masts are the new 4G critical communications system for Britain’s emergency services.

The UK Government is funding upgrades to Emergency Services Network sites to enable mobile network operators to provide commercial mobile coverage as part of the Shared Rural Network programme.

OTHER NEWS:

The infrastructure is part of the world-first Shared Rural Network programme between the UK Government and the UK’s four mobile network operators which will see 4G coverage boosted to 95% across Wales.

The programme will also allow us in Mid Wales to access competing mobile contracts, with coverage boosted for all major network providers.

Progress on all the new masts is going well, five have already been brought online which are located in the Y Fan, Llanidloes, Old Hall Llanidloes, Llangynog, Staylittle and Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, with the further eleven coming online throughout 2024.

When it comes to broadband, we in mid Wales are often last to benefit from upgrades to services and there are many hard to reach areas across our rural communities.

Get in touch

Share your views on this story by sending a letter to the editor. To get in touch email news@countytimes.co.uk, or fill in the form on this section of our website.

I met with Openreach several times during 2023 who emphasised their commitment to bringing ultrafast broadband to communities across mid Wales. Openreach outlined to me their commitment to the full fibre broadband expansion in Powys. 

Residents and businesses in Kerry, Llanbrynmair and Tregynon and Berriew are the first areas in Montgomeryshire to be able to apply for free Gigabit vouchers worth £4,500, which will be used by Openreach towards building an Ultrafast Full Fibre network within these areas.

Accessing funding does not cost anything for individual properties but does mean a minimum term of 12 months with a chosen supplier. Over 1,100 properties could have access improved as a result of this great scheme.