Written question WQ95562

Access Broadband Cymru is a Welsh Government intervention to offer fast, reliable broadband to eligible premises. It can offer assistance to individual properties currently not able to access superfast broadband by providing grant aid to receive it through suitable technologies.

Given the changing broadband landscape in Wales, the scheme is reviewed periodically to test whether an intervention is still needed, that it still meets the needs of homes, businesses and third sector organisations, and that it can be delivered within available funding and resources.

An internal review found that the scheme remains the only mechanism to fund the delivery of fast and reliable broadband to the very hardest to reach premises.

The scheme did, however, require immediate work to adjust its operation to reflect the evolving broadband market and the ongoing evolution of available technology solutions. Work is also being undertaken to review grant ceilings and the scheme’s administration to ensure that it continues to offer a targeted, flexible and responsive connectivity safety net to those that need it.

The changes required are significant and to enable this work to take place the scheme was paused to all new applicants and new applications from 7thAugust 2024.

We anticipate that the scheme will re-open to applications in the Spring of 2025.