The Leader of Bridgend County Borough Council has welcomed news that the BT Group is to provide more than 25,000 local homes with ultrafast full-fibre broadband as part of its Openreach programme.
The programme, which is targeting three million more homes and businesses in some of the UK’s hardest to serve communities, is being carried out in addition to other Openreach initiatives, community fibre partnerships and funded schemes which are also helping to improve broadband access.
In Bridgend County Borough, the work will target exchanges based in the Ogmore Valley, Porthcawl, Pencoed, Pontycymmer, Aberkenfig and Maesteg areas.
The Leader, Cllr Huw David said: “This investment into ultrafast broadband is very welcome. As well as the convenience, improved accessibility and ability to use other integrated technology that it is going to offer to residents, the increased connectivity is also going to make it easier for people to work from home in future.
“Broadband is now very much a part of modern life. This investment will also deliver huge benefits for local businesses, and help to create new jobs while supporting the local economy and enabling it to develop and grow.
“I look forward to seeing further announcements on this initiative from Openreach as well as more details about when the works will be rolled out across Bridgend County Borough.”
The investment is expected to create 7,000 new jobs across Openreach and its supply chain, and forms part of national plans to provide 85 per cent of the UK with gigabit-capable broadband by 2025.