DWYFOR Meirionnydd’s Assembly Member has urged businesses and residents in the area to take part in a major consultation into problems with broadband in the region as part of a Welsh Government effort to boost superfast broadband.

Julie James, the Welsh Government Minister for Skills and Science, has announced the four-week consultation into a review of planned improvements in coming years and AM Dafydd Elis-Thomas has said he wants as many people as possible to take part in the consultation to raise awareness of issues in the constituency.

Lord Elis-Thomas said improving access to superfast broadband in the region was vital to assist business growth and improve services for residents and that the Welsh Government needed to know of any areas where there are problems.

He said: “I welcome the launch of this four-week public consultation asking for views and information which will assist the Welsh Government to improve its data on areas where broadband connectivity is a problem.

“It is highly important that individuals respond to the consultation and I am keen to receive further examples from individual farm businesses, schools, local businesses and home workers and those living in mountainous and rural areas who are experiencing difficulties with their broadband speed.

“I am also pleased that the Welsh Government will look at individual premises rather than postcode level data in order to have the most accurate information possible.”

Ms James, announcing the consultation, said it was important to ensure more rural areas weren’t disadvantaged by having a lesser broadband service and the consultation into an open market review carried out for potential future broadband services could help identify gaps.

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