Openreach has kicked off the construction of a new ultrafast broadband network in Pendine, Carmarthenshire, offering residents and businesses access to top-tier, reliable internet speeds. Known for its history with land speed records, Pendine will now boast some of Europe’s fastest broadband, thanks to Openreach’s Fibre Community Partnership Scheme. This project, funded through pooled UK Government broadband vouchers, aims to reach most local homes and businesses by 2024, though additional pledges are needed to ensure the entire community benefits.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to connect 25,000 homes and businesses across 50 Welsh communities, using government vouchers to fund the build, ensuring these areas receive the same high-quality internet access as urban regions. Residents can check their eligibility and pledge vouchers via the Connect My Community website, facilitating the construction of customized, co-funded networks by Openreach. The entire process, from pledging to completion, may take 12-18 months, with some properties going live sooner than others.
Martin Williams, Openreach Partnership Director for Wales, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity for people living and working in Pendine and we’re delighted to be able to bring all the benefits of ultrafast, ultra-reliable Full Fibre broadband to the community.
“Our Fibre Community Partnership programme has meant that we’ve been able to bring thousands of additional properties across Wales and the rest of the UK into our Full Fibre build plans. But building out the network to these harder to reach locations is still challenging – which is why it’s only possible with everyone working together – you, your neighbours and Openreach.
“We still need more pledges in Pendine to ensure we can go even further to those properties that are on the outskirts of the village so would urge people to get involved and not miss out.”
County Cllr. Jane Tremlett, Member for Laugharne Township Ward, said “Knowing this local community and understanding it’s frustrations with having poor broadband connectivity for many years, the work that has started to improve that, is absolutely welcomed.”
“Our rural communities should have the same access as our towns, to maintain their social inclusion in society and having decent broadband is integral to that. It’s great that residents have been able to apply for government vouchers, making sure that the installation bears no cost to them and I look forward to hearing about the benefits once the infrastructure is live.”
