BT has secured a £9.8 million contract to provide full fibre broadband to nearly 1,800 hard-to-reach locations in the Swansea Bay City Region, as part of the Better Broadband Infill Project. Awarded by the Swansea Bay City Deal’s Digital Infrastructure Programme, the initiative will be executed in collaboration with Openreach. BT will contribute additional funding, raising the project’s total value above £10 million.

The project targets connectivity gaps in Pembrokeshire, Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, and Carmarthenshire, delivering full fibre broadband to 1,533 premises and 256 additional sites. It focuses on areas with broadband speeds below 30Mbps, excluded from other government-funded or commercial fibre expansion plans. This effort aims to enhance digital access and support regional development.

The initiative will improve internet reliability for residents and businesses, fostering economic and social opportunities. By addressing underserved areas, the project ensures broader participation in digital services across the Swansea Bay City Region.

Cllr. Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council, stated: “This project is a game-changer for our region. By bringing high-speed internet to areas that have been left behind, we are not only improving quality of life but also opening up new opportunities for economic and social development. Access to reliable broadband is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity.”

Susi Marston, Head of Public Sector Wales at BT, said: “Connectivity is at the heart of how people live and work today, but all of that relies on the right infrastructure being in place. The Better Broadband Infill Project will improve services for thousands of people across the Swansea Bay City Region, who will benefit from state-of-the-art connectivity even in hard-to-reach areas.”

The project underscores a commitment to equitable access to modern infrastructure, enabling communities to thrive in the digital era.