A major investment in broadband infrastructure across South West Wales has been announced, which will benefit communities across Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.

The UK Labour Government has announced that a new £108.9 million contract with Openreach has been signed to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to up to 47,000 premises, including homes and businesses in Mid and South Pembrokeshire.

This milestone forms part of the government’s Project Gigabit initiative, aimed at bringing fast, reliable broadband to hard-to-reach areas across the UK.

Henry Tufnell MP, who represents Mid and South Pembrokeshire, welcomed the announcement, stating: “This investment will significantly improve connectivity in our region, benefiting communities that would otherwise be left behind by commercial broadband providers.

“Reliable internet access is essential for driving economic growth and providing opportunities for everyone, regardless of where they live.”

Project Gigabit plays a key role in plans to kickstart economic growth and break down barriers to opportunity as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

With faster internet speeds across the country, communities that would otherwise be left behind with outdated broadband networks will be able to make the most of what the digital world has to offer.

Some of Britain’s most isolated communities will benefit from faster broadband speeds, giving them better access to a range of services including healthcare at home through virtual consultations and remote monitoring, and helping to combat loneliness by ensuring pensioners can access high-quality video calls.

It will also support businesses to better grow and serve their customers online and help young people have a better start in life through access to online education and the resources to apply and interview for jobs.

With gigabit-capable coverage currently at 63% in the area, this project will further close the digital divide, ensuring that more residents and businesses can benefit from cutting-edge digital services.

Across the UK, Project Gigabit is now delivering gigabit connectivity to over 1.1 million hard-to-reach premises – a figure that will continue to rise in the months ahead, meeting the demand for reliable connectivity, stimulating rural economies and reducing regional disparities.

Openreach CEO Clive Selley, said: “Our new Full Fibre broadband network now reaches more than half of all properties in the UK, and we’re confident we can reach as many as 30 million premises by the end of the decade, assuming the right regulatory and investment conditions exist.

“This is a British infrastructure success story which experts say will boost productivity by £73 billion and bring a raft of social and environmental benefits for the country.

“We believe that everyone deserves access to fast and reliable broadband, and we’re proud that this partnership will help extend our ultrafast, ultra-reliable network to areas that would otherwise be left behind by the private sector.”

The rollout will begin in 2025, with Openreach leading the deployment of high-speed broadband infrastructure in partnership with the government.

Mr Tufnell added “If you are facing any issues with connectivity or broadband access, please get in touch with my office.”