Paul Sivyer

Thursday, 14 November 2013

Broadband - Superfast Cymru

This is the most recent of my communications with the Welsh Government regarding superfast broadband:

Mr Ken Skates

Deputy Minister for Skills & Technology
National Assembly for Wales
Cardiff Bay
Cardiff
CF99 1NA

Dear Minister,

I’ve received a wholly unacceptable answer from Adam Butcher via Alun Ponting to my question asking you when superfast broadband will be coming to the rest of the village of Llanberis. It was condescending to say the least. I already knew there was a delay – that was the whole point of contacting you! Not to mention that the non-response took over three weeks to arrive!

I feel that that there is something not quite right about the Superfast Cymru roll-out of fibre broadband. No one seems to be able to answer any questions. Is there anyone in charge of this project that are publically accountable and who know what work Openreach are actually carrying out and what they are doing with our funds?

Today it was announced (via the Superfast Cymru Twitter site) that some areas of the Penygroes exchange here in Gwynedd will be able to get superfast broadband.

I now agree with others on the social networks that it’s a race to partially connect as many easily connectable areas of exchanges as possible whilst leaving the reminder of us to the whim of Openreach.

If your department are unable to tell me the date when the reminder of Llanberis will get Superfast Broadband, then please provide me with information regarding the following:

· How many exchanges are there in Wales?

· How many will fully get the superfast broadband by the 2016 deadline?

· How many exchanges are fully connected to the superfast broadband system at this point in time?

· How many exchanges are partially connected to the superfast broadband system at this point in time?

Kind regards,

Paul

And this is the response I received today: Judge for yourselves!