A campaign has been launched to combat the “digital deficit” in rural North Wales after it was revealed that one in six gomes have no access to superfast broadband.
The aim of the Rural Digital Connectivity project is to help householders, businesses and organisations across the region overcome the problems of being located in “not spots”.
The project, which was launched by Ambition North Wales and is being funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, is being rolled out by two rural enterprise agencies – Anglesey-based Menter Môn in the west and Denbighshire-based Cadwyn Clwyd in the east.
The agencies are organising a series of Connectivity Clinics where experts are available to offer free advice and guidance on getting reliable and fast internet access.
For anybody who cannot attend any of the sessions, the agencies have also produced a free Connectivity Guide to help people get to grips with the problem.
Connectivity
Among the advisors running the Connectivity Clinics is Geraint Strello, who has over 40 years experience in the ICT industry.
According to Geraint, gaining access to superfast broadband will not just open up new opportunities for internet shopping, game-playing and homeworking, but it could save lives and even increase the value of homes.
“While many properties in North Wales do have access to superfast broadband it’s important that we don’t forget those that don’t and our aim is to make them aware of the opportunities available to bring a high speed service to them,” he said.
“The benefits could be huge, not just for the access to information and for work but there are services which can monitor people’s well-being and enable them to live more independently.
“For example, there are monitoring systems that can learn the normal routine of those living in the property and if something changes dramatically, for example if the toilet is flushed numerous times in the middle of the night, or the front or back door left open, an alarm will be triggered.”
Geraint said there are sensors that monitor carbon dioxide levels and, if it has not changed for a couple of days, it would mean no-one has visited, so keeping an eye on this reduces the risk of social isolation for vulnerable people.
“There are lots of applications out there which can change people’s lives for the better in relatively unobtrusive ways,” he said.
Geraint said that for those currently struggling for a service over a fixed line there could be options to access 4 or 5G mobile broadband or a satellite connection.
“Advisors from Menter Môn and Cadwyn Clwyd and Denbighshire County Council will be at events across North Wales to give advice, answer their questions and explain what will work best for them.
“When you think about how far we’ve come and the geography of the region then it’s a positive story, but there is more work to do and if you live in a remote location then it could cost you more but there may be help available.”
North Wales
Just under three-quarters of homes in Wales have full-fibre broadband compared to 78% in Scotland, 85% in England and 97% in Northern Ireland.
In North Wales, Anglesey is the county worst served by broadband providers, with more than one in three properties (35%) without full-fibre to the premises.
This is compared to Wrexham at 10% while Gwynedd is at 19.4%, Denbighshire 18.5%, Flintshire 15% and Conwy 12%.
Kiki Rees-Stavros, of Menter Mon, is leading on the project in North West Wales in the counties of Ynys Môn, Gwynedd and Conwy.
Helen Williams, of Cadwyn Clwyd, and Philip Burrows from Denbighshire County Council are leading on the project in North East Wales in the counties of Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham.
Connectivity Clinics
Connectivity Clinics will be held at the Anglesey Show on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 13 and 14, and at the Denbigh and Flint Show in Denbigh on Thursday, August 15, to offer advice and information on the options available to upgrade your broadband service.
There are upcoming sessions in North East Wales at Denbigh Library on Monday, August 12, 10:00a.m-1:00p.m, and the following day at Hwb Dinbych, 1:00p.m-3:00p.m.
There are further drop-ins at Corwen Library, Tuesday, August 20, 10:00a.m-1:00p.m, and at the same times at Llangollen Library, Thursday, August 29; at Mold Library on Wednesday, September 4, 12:00p.m-2:00p.m; and Wrexham Library, Thursday, September 5, 12:00p.m-2:00p.m.
Other sessions will be held in Cerrigydrudion on September 7, Llanrwst Library on September 18 and Dolwyddelan Sheepdog Trials on September 21.
The project runs until October 31 in Wrexham and until December 31 in the five other North Wales counties.
