A number of Ceredigion communities have signed up to a scheme to bring superfast broadband to their area.

Rural broadband provider Broadway Partners has been chosen by a number of communities across Ceredigion, along with the support of local councils, to make full fibre broadband available to everyone in their area as part of the UK Rural Gigabit Voucher Scheme.

Community councils and county councillors in Ceulanamaesmawr, Pontarfynach, Blaenrheidol, Melindwr, Ysgubor-y-Coed, Tirymynach and Borth have so far signed up to the scheme to boost internet speeds in their communities.

Broadway’s projects will aim to connect premises in Ceredigion with gigabit-capable full-fibre broadband with speeds up to 1000Mbps (megabits per second). The entry package includes internet speeds of up to 1000Mbps, unlimited data and free installation.

With aims to improve connectivity, the Welsh Government has confirmed that “top-up” funding will be available for the new Government Rural Gigabit Voucher Scheme. This means that homes with poor broadband are eligible for community scheme vouchers worth up to £3,000, and for small businesses, up to £7,000.

Households and businesses are now able to register their interest the scheme by visiting the Broadway Broadband website, www.broadwaybroadband.co.uk, entering their postcode and registering their interest online.

Other communities in Ceredigion are also in consultation to become part of the project.

Steve Ellis from Broadway said: “We’re at different levels of discussion in the South and middle of the county with a number of other community areas.

“A crucial emphasis in Broadway’s approach is working with community groups and ensuring even isolated rural properties have the opportunity of ultrafast broadband, not just the village centres or properties on the main roads.”

No definitive timelines have been put in place, but Mr Ellis said the company is aiming to complete the network build across large rural areas of mid Wales over the next 12 months, connecting properties as they go.

Michael Armitage, CEO of Broadway Partners added: “Despite Covid restrictions easing, numerous companies are committing to hybrid working going forward, and many people are moving out of the cities to more rural locations. Fast and reliable broadband will therefore continue to be an essential part of post-pandemic life.

“With the help of the Government Rural Gigabit Scheme and investor funding, we have been given the opportunity to connect the digitally disadvantaged communities in Wales and bridge the connectivity gap between rural and urban areas.”

The project is made possible through a grant funding scheme from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. Households and businesses have a Rural Gigabit Voucher of up to £3,500 which goes toward installing infrastructure.