Wales receives £60m boost from government for superfast broadband rollouts

The government is to provide £56.9m of its £530m broadband investment fund to the Welsh Assembly to help the nation reach the goal of providing broadband at 25Mbit/s and above to 90 per cent of the population by 2015.

Downing Street also wants everyone in the UK to have access to a minimum of 2Mbit/s by this date, so funding to cover investments in remote areas is vital in filling the gaps that the private sector alone will not cover.

Culture secretary Jeremy Hunt called on his Welsh counterparts to match the figure and help make broadband speeds of 25Mbit/s a reality for the nation's population.

"If the Welsh government matches our investment, 90 per cent of the country's homes and businesses will have access to superfast broadband," he said.

"If you suffer the frustration of slow internet connections, then tell your Welsh Assembly member that you need broadband. Urge them to make this investment and ensure that Wales is not left behind."

Cheryl Gillan, secretary of state for Wales, explained that the funding is vital in helping the nation to get its entire population online, although she made no direct reference to matching the funding.

"Last week's Ofcom report into broadband provision highlighted the challenge facing us in Wales to ensure we improve provision for domestic and business users," she said.

"Today's announcement will ensure broadband take-up and speed can be significantly improved, benefitting individuals and businesses."

The funding follows an investment of £10m from the government's broadband pot announced by chancellor George Osborne in February for rolling out broadband services to Pwllheli and the surrounding area of north Wales.

Funding of £50m was announced for Wiltshire, Norfolk, Devon and Somerset in May to help provide broadband to rural residents.