During a government statement on ‘Superfast Boradband – the Next Steps’ by the Welsh Government yesterday, Rhun pointed out that for many on Anglesey, the scheme hadn’t delivered broadband that was either fast or super!

Speaking in the Assembly chamber, Ynys Môn Assembly Member Rhun ap Iorwerth said:

“Obviously, in principle, it’s great to have Superfast Cymru in motion. Unfortunately, we all know from our postbags as Assembly Members that, for far too many of our constituents, Superfast Cymru certainly hasn’t delivered fast broadband and certainly hasn’t delivered anything close to being super.
 
“You mentioned the few farmers that are still left without a fast broadband connection. It’s far more than just some farmers; it’s whole rural communities that are still not connected. Even when that fabled green cabinet is in your village, you still may not have connection to superfast broadband. We need to make sure, and this is a point that I’ve raised on numerous occasions here in the Chamber, that there is much better communication between Openreach and Welsh Government and those customers and potential customers of the future who are told time and time again, ‘No, you’re not quite there yet, but you will be soon.’ But when? Can I appeal to the Government to make sure that any contracts on the son of Superfast Cymru have written into them the need to make sure that communication is watertight with those people, who are hugely frustrated?
 
“So, please, communicate. Make sure that those communities who want it know why they’re not getting it, what needs to be done in order to get it to them, and make sure that those problems that we’re all aware of will be overcome when we move on to the next stages of roll-out.”

In her response, the Minister for Skills and Science said that she would be happy to come to Anglesey to look at the issues there, and Rhun has since formally invited her. He added:

“I look forward to welcoming the Minister to Anglesey and hope that she is able to fit a visit in soon so that she can see some of the issues that we face at first hand.”