10. Short Debate: The battle for better broadband

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:56 pm on 8 May 2019.

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Photo of Lee Waters Lee Waters Labour 5:56, 8 May 2019

Absolutely. It is being trialled, and they are certainly having issues about the stability of the connection, but the level of intervention is minimal—it's just a small aerial on the side of the house. Similarly, using 3G and 4G is a way of getting broadband to lots of people, which could be a lot more realistic and doable than fibre to the premises. So, we would certainly be keen to work with Pembrokeshire council to see if we can roll out the learning from the Monmouthshire project to Pembrokeshire. I know Carmarthenshire council, for example, have themselves employed somebody to work with communities to try and access the various vouchers that are available, which we provide and the UK Government provide. But it is often difficult for communities to be able to organise and access these funds, and it's right, I think, that local authorities recognise their role in this too. I see a number of local authorities now doing that, and I've mentioned already the good work happening in Monmouthshire.

So, I think there are things that we can do, but simply bemoaning the failure of the Welsh Government to reach communities in an area that is not devolved, in an area that the market has decided it isn't able to serve, when we have spent over £200 million already, and put more money on the table that the market isn't interested in accessing—I think it's only fair to give that account, too. But we are trying our best. My officials and I work patiently with Members when they do get in touch with correspondence to try and offer as much of a personal service as we can to overcome these practical difficulties. So, I think, in all fairness, we are doing what we can, but this is a really difficult issue. It is not a simple issue, and as I say, we are at a time of incredible pace of change and it is difficult to spread these benefits evenly. 

But to return to the point the Member made, I entirely agree that we must try harder to do it, because it is an essential service, and I'd like to work together, so far as we can, with local authorities, the UK Government and Members of all parties to give this essential service to all parts of Wales.