Welsh broadband uptake soars with more growth
predicted in 2006
14/02/06
Broadband uptake in Wales has grown by 14%
points in the last year according to research undertaken by
the Welsh Assembly Government's Broadband Wales Programme. The
survey, of 5,500 residents across the 22 Local Authorities, shows a
phenomenal two in five (39%) Welsh residents now have broadband*,
substantiating recent reports that the UK has the highest broadband
penetration in Europe, leapfrogging previous market leaders France
and Germany**.
Moreover, it's expected that broadband uptake in Wales will
continue to soar as the final 35 unviable telephone exchanges in
Wales are switched on later this year as part of the Welsh Assembly
Government's Broadband Wales Programme Regional Innovative
Broadband Support Scheme (RIBS), a match-funded project designed to
achieve a competitive broadband infrastructure supply across
Wales.
In January 2005, Cardiff boasted the highest level of
broadband connectivity in Wales with 41% of the Capital's residents
accessing broadband. A year on, and uptake in other parts of Wales
has also begun to soar including The Vale of Glamorgan (51%), Neath
Port Talbot (46%) and Swansea (44%), with healthy uptake levels
also recorded in Monmouthshire (41%), Flintshire (40%) and Conwy
(38%).
Whilst the research shows that computer ownership in Wales has
increased to 71% and Internet access at home to 63%, it also
revealed significant growth of alternative devices for accessing
the Internet. An increasing number of respondents said they now
like to download high-speed data such as news and other information
when on the move via their mobile phones (12%) or PDAs (2%).
Equally Internet via digital TV (6%) and gaming consoles such as
Playstation2 (3%) were also mentioned - consistent with recent
trends towards comprehensive communication and entertainment
services.
Andrew Davies, Minister for Economic Development and Transport
and eMinister for the Welsh Assembly Government said: "This
research provides an accurate outlook on the Welsh broadband arena
and once again demonstrates that Wales is not only setting the pace
for broadband adoption within the UK, but is showing the rest of
Europe a clean pair of heels in broadband uptake."
"An additional surge in broadband adoption is expected later
this year as the last unviable exchanges in Wales are switched over
to broadband as part of our Regional Innovative Broadband Support
Scheme (RIBS), designed to achieve a competitive broadband
infrastructure supply across the whole of Wales.'
"Broadband availability and uptake is playing a pivotal role
in the continued transformation of Wales into a knowledge-driven,
innovative, successful and sustainable economic force."
Remember, if you want broadband but can't get it, or would
like a faster/ better broadband connection than is currently
available in your area, then please
register your
details. You'll be helping to steer future broadband investment
into your community.
* Measured against standard definitions of broadband defined
by Ofcom
** Source: Point Topic January 2006