2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:23 pm on 27 February 2018.

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Photo of Julie James Julie James Labour 2:23, 27 February 2018

The Member makes a very good point. Gigabit services are already widely available today across the UK, Wales and north Wales. Businesses that require gigabit speeds can access them, but of course, they come at a price. There is a real issue with the market price for gigabit services, but unfortunately the Welsh Government is not the controller of that. It's a matter for Ofcom to address those through the market regulation. We are participating in the full-fibre rounds that the UK Government is offering, and I will be able to say something more to the Assembly once we know where that particular competition is going.

In terms of domestic gigabit services, we are, as Jack Sargeant will know, looking at investing in fibre-to-the-premises technology throughout north Wales through the Superfast Cymru scheme and other schemes. And, of course, the successor scheme is currently out to procurement. Llywydd, I'll resist the temptation to go on at great length about that today, as I'm answering oral Assembly questions tomorrow, and I believe a number of those are in relation to broadband schemes.