Montgomeryshire being left behind in the digital slow lane

Average broadband speeds are faster in Paraguay and Vietnam thank in Montgomeryshire which is ranked 11th slowest out of the UK’s 650 constituencies with speeds of 32.2 Mbps. Brecon and Radnorshire faired

even worst, ranked 4th slowest with speeds of 31.0Mbps.

Welsh Liberal Democrats Senedd Candidates Alison Alexander and William Powell are calling for extra ultra-fast broadband support to be rolled out in rural areas.

Alison who is the Montgomeryshire candidate for the Welsh Parliament elections in May said: “Despite repeated Government promises, thousands of people across mid-Wales are being left in the digital slow lane. The people of Montgomeryshire are left with slower average broadband speeds than Vietnam and Paraguay.

“For many of us, the poor level of service during lockdown has been simply unacceptable. I’ve spoken to many people who while working at home have been unable to complete their days work or education because broadband speeds are so sluggish, or in some cases simply cut out all-together.

The Westminster government recently shelved its manifesto commitment to give all homes across the UK superfast broadband by 2025 and reduced planned spending on the roll-out of fibre optic technology from £5 billion to £1.2 billion in the Chancellor’s latest spending review.

“Urgent investment is needed in boosting internet speeds in rural areas, the including extended tax relief on new broadband infrastructure and increased subsidies for ultra-fast broadband to ensure no household is left behind.”

“We are urging Powys’ Conservative MPs to do more to tackle the regions broadband shortcomings in particular they should be pushing the Chancellor to reinstate previous manifesto commitments that he shelved. His upcoming budget is the perfect opportunity to show he and the Conservative Party care about people outside large cities."