Carmarthenshire County Council have announced that they have signed and agreement with Voneus, a rural broadband provider, which allows the company to use streetlamp poles to install wireless gigabit equipment to improve provision in some rural areas.
The Council hope that this will mean a faster and more reliable broadband services for homes and businesses in rural areas. In a statement the Council said that this method of providing broadband allows more flexibility and efficiency in provision for those areas that aren’t adequately served already.
As part of the agreement, Voneus will place radio equipment on streetlamps that will form a wireless chain sending signal from pope to pole, a measure which doesn’t require digging and placing of cables.
In a statement, Ilan Scorah, Director of Strategy and Planning at Voneus said,
“Our partnership with Carmarthenshire County Council is another significant milestone for Voneus helping broadband connectivity in rural Carmarthenshire, where connectivity has often been a challenge. Strengthening our partnerships with local authorities helps lead the way for better digital access which we know can make a substantial difference in fostering economic growth, enhancing educational opportunities, and improving overall quality of life.”
Councillor Hazel Evans, Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture and Tourism said:
“I am thrilled to have this new agreement with Voneus in place. It’s a positive step towards bridging the digital divide in the harder to reach rural areas of the county. Building working relationships to better the services of residents and businesses in Carmarthenshire is integral to the region and I hope that we can continue to collaborate with providers to improve broadband connectivity in our rural communities.”
The plan is funded through the Swansea Bay City Deal’s Digital Infrastructure Programme. For more information about Voneus and their plans in Carmarthenshire, follow this link to their website.
