Working together to get better broadband

Dale, a small rural community on the coast of Pembrokeshire, has long endured poor internet connectivity that has plagued its residents with little to no ability to use the internet for work, entertainment or communication.

As more services and day-to-day tasks are digitised, having limited internet access was having a detrimental effect on residents.

However, after being told about a UK Government funded project by Pembrokeshire County Council’s Digital Champions, this has changed and much of Dale is now connected to gigabit-capable broadband that serves the whole village.
The Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme is part of the UK Government’s Project Gigabit programme, focused on helping hard-to-reach communities upgrade their broadband connection. Eligible homes and businesses can apply for up to £4,500 to cover the costs of a gigabit-capable connection.
With the voucher scheme, residents and businesses in eligible areas have been able to apply for financial help to cover the costs of installing gigabit broadband.

The difficulty for me working in a technological environment, broadband connection was pretty limited when I moved back to Dale – moving large files, not being able to make video conference calls, we were stuck with old fashioned copper telephone lines.

The Gigabit broadband scheme was like a lifebuoy thrown to us as we were drowning in the slow lane of the internet. The scheme has meant our lives are enhanced and it’s a benefit to our community.

Kevin Rogers, Dale resident