Entertainment

Will new broadband work bring faster internet to rural Wales by early 2026?

Published

4 months ago

December 8, 2025

Wales is moving forward with plans that bring real internet coverage to areas where speeds fall short. The project now launched is built on data, fieldwork, returned funding and a clear digital objective. The timing and the scope are fixed, the tools are known, and the outcome is firm. Rural parts of Wales can expect change early in 2026.

A plan built for areas still waiting

The Welsh Government set aside £70 million to bring high-speed broadband to premises where 30Mbps is still out of reach. These areas sit outside all commercial and public rollout activity confirmed for the next three years.

The new effort uses returned funds from BT’s Superfast Cymru phase. Take-up levels went up, the clawback clause activated, and now the amount is being put back into the ground.

There are two LOTS in the framework. LOT 1 carries £60 million and targets clusters with 1,000 or more premises. LOT 2 carries £10 million and goes to smaller sites with fewer than 1,000.

The tender was open until November 26th, 2025. Contracts are expected to be handed out on 20 January 2026. Once awarded, the build can begin. The first results are expected soon.

Coverage gaps are actively targeted

As of mid-2025, around 97.6 percent of premises across Wales reach 30Mbps or more. Roughly 87.8 percent of those can access gigabit speeds. However, smaller areas still remain with lower coverage. These are the homes, farms, outbuildings, and business spots now included in the new plan.

The open market review defines the list. It checks all current commercial and government plans and picks only those premises outside them. That keeps the focus on gaps. It also stops money from going to areas already covered.

Installation cost per premise stands around £2,400. That is slightly higher than figures under Project Gigabit, which usually run under £2,000. Reaching these remote spots takes more work, more equipment, and more time. FTTP is the main option here, as fibre to the Premises means fast, direct access right at the socket.

Where the difference will be felt

This rollout reaches people and places with low speeds, weak lines and poor access to online services. The reach includes people working from rural homes, small business owners, live streamers, and residents who rely on online platforms for everyday tasks.

New coverage will also change how users access data-heavy services like online gaming, app-based tools, and systems that demand instant response and secure payments.

Faster internet helps with media, support platforms, and site features that rely on strong upload and download signals. Those who play online casino games on established gaming platforms will notice smoother delivery.

This type of gaming in the UK has grown steadily in recent years. It is driven by the ease of access from home and the steady shift toward digital formats. With stronger networks, features like live tables, high‑speed slots, and timed promotions can perform more reliably.

With the broadband upgrade, performance will be more consistent, and the interface will become more responsive, especially where visuals or payouts are involved.

Research that helped target the project

The Welsh Government commissioned Cwmpas to gather feedback from those living and working in the most affected areas. This research reached across all parts of Wales and focused on rural users. Respondents included students, self-employed workers, remote professionals, and community leaders.

The biggest age group was 54 to 63, which made up 31.4 percent of replies. The group with the lowest reply rate was 16 to 25, at just 1.45 percent.

Many users saw FTTP as the best solution. They wanted something that worked now, but they were ready to accept bridging options until the final system could be built. Every user surveyed asked for fast and reliable service. No one wanted to wait another three years.

UK Government feedback from similar research confirmed the trend. Those living in areas with limited coverage said they wanted better access for basic online actions, work‑from‑home tasks, and information services. Businesses said they needed faster lines for productivity, better access to cloud tools, and system stability for customer contact.

Support, structure and who builds it

The Welsh Government worked alongside Building Digital UK and local councils to avoid overlap and make sure that funding reached places without confirmed service. City and growth deals across Wales also had input. Coordination across all levels was a key part of planning.

The grant process will include requirements for environmental awareness. Past broadband builds asked providers to show how they would manage biodiversity, and this project will carry the same. Civil works for fibre take weeks, so early notice and open communication help ease disruption in each area.

While this is an infrastructure project, some users face extra difficulty once it goes live. Low income and low digital confidence can slow take-up. This was flagged in early assessments. Providers may offer setup guidance and local signposting to make sure coverage turns into real access.

The build also gives support to third sector groups. These groups use online tools to manage funding, communicate with teams and run outreach. Reliable broadband makes this simpler. The same applies to people using online learning, public service portals or tools with streaming content. It keeps users in touch with what matters.

Fixed timetable, clear impact

The contracts close in late 2025, and awards follow in January 2026. The first build phase starts just after that. Over time, the network will stretch into farms, valleys, border towns, hill properties, and distant coast spots. Each home and business added gets stable signal and a future‑proof line.

The aim is always steady access. Rural areas take longer to build into, but the model here has been tested and planned with care. Providers like Openreach, Ogi, Netomnia and Virgin Media all match the project size. Some need more backing than others, and some may only go after one LOT.

Service helps people stay productive. It lets platforms run with fewer errors. It removes the weak points in a stream or feed. Once the new lines go live, the full package of modern tools and services can follow. Wales stays online without lag, skips the drop, and cuts out the wait.

Entertainment

Huw Edwards criticises TV drama about his downfall

Published

22 hours ago

March 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FORMER BBC news presenter Huw Edwards has issued a strongly worded statement criticising an upcoming television drama based on his fall from grace.

Edwards, who received a suspended prison sentence after admitting offences relating to indecent images of children, said the programme was produced without properly checking its claims with him.

***Edwards claims those behind the programme failed to verify key elements of the story***

The two-part drama, Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards, features actor Martin Clunes portraying the former newsreader.

In a statement published in the national press, Edwards claimed those behind the programme failed to verify key elements of the story before filming began. He said producers only approached him for comment after production had already been completed, and even then retained editorial control over any response.

He also questioned whether contributors to the programme had been paid, suggesting the drama may not accurately reflect events.

Edwards said he had already expressed “deep regret and remorse” for his crimes during court proceedings, having pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

He added that he found the offences deeply disturbing and offered a further apology, acknowledging that each image involved a real victim.

The former presenter said he is now working on his own account of the events, although progress has been slow due to ongoing health issues. He has previously spoken about long-term mental illness, which he said had worsened in the period leading up to his offences.

However, he stressed that mental health difficulties should not be used to excuse criminal behaviour.

Edwards rose to prominence as one of the UK’s most recognisable news anchors before his career collapsed following allegations of misconduct and subsequent criminal charges.

In September 2024, he was handed a six-month suspended sentence and placed on the sex offenders register for seven years. He was also ordered to complete a rehabilitation programme.

Responding to his criticism, a spokesperson for Channel 5 said the drama was based on interviews with those involved, including the complainant and journalists who broke the story, as well as court reporting and message evidence.

They added that the programme was produced in line with broadcasting regulations and that allegations featured in the film had been put to Edwards through his legal representatives in advance.

Entertainment

Easter egg trails return to Pembrokeshire as National Trust launches spring events

Published

24 hours ago

March 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FAMILIES across Pembrokeshire are being invited to “hop into spring” as Easter egg trails return to National Trust sites across Wales.

The popular seasonal events will take place at thirteen locations nationwide, including Colby Woodland Garden near Amroth, offering a mix of outdoor adventure, nature exploration, and family-friendly challenges.

The National Trust Cymru says the trails are designed to keep children entertained during the Easter holidays while encouraging them to connect with nature, heritage, and the outdoors.

At Colby Woodland Garden, visitors can explore a wooded valley filled with winding paths, streams, and hidden corners while taking part in ten activity stations along the Easter trail.

Organisers say the site’s mix of natural play areas and historic features makes it an ideal location for families looking to enjoy the spring weather.

The Easter egg trail at Colby will run from Thursday (Apr 3) to Sunday (Apr 6), between 10:00am and 3:30pm.

Family-friendly activities

Across Wales, the trails include a wide range of themed activities, from wildlife spotting and creative challenges to physical games and imaginative play.

Each location features around ten activity points, with participants receiving a trail sheet, bunny ears, and a chocolate egg on completion. Vegan and allergy-friendly options are also available.

Normal admission charges apply, although National Trust members can enter for free. The Easter trail costs £3.50 per child.

Spring boost for tourism

The National Trust says the events are part of a wider effort to encourage families to make the most of outdoor spaces as the weather improves.

With gardens in bloom and longer daylight hours, organisers hope the trails will attract visitors from across west Wales and beyond.

A spokesperson said the programme offers “hours of fun, discovery and seasonal adventure for the whole family.”

More information and booking details are available via the National Trust website.

Entertainment

Action-packed Easter fun set for Carew Castle

Published

1 day ago

March 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A HOST of family-friendly adventures will bring Carew Castle to life this Easter, with a packed programme of events running from Saturday (Mar 28) to Sunday (Apr 19).

Set against the dramatic tidal reach and managed by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, the historic castle will once again become a hub of activity, offering everything from treasure hunts and medieval weapon displays to science workshops and live storytelling.

Egg hunts and medieval action

A brand-new Great Golden Egg Hunt will challenge children to explore the castle’s winding passageways and hidden corners in search of clues. Running daily from 10:00am to 4:00pm throughout the school holidays, the activity costs £2.50 per child in addition to normal admission.

Young visitors can also step back in time with Hands-On: Weapons and Armour sessions, held daily between 10:30am and 11:30am from Monday (Mar 30) to Sunday (Apr 12). Children will have the chance to handle replica weapons, try on armour, and experience medieval combat demonstrations at no extra cost.

The popular Find the Key! treasure hunt also returns, beginning at 3:00pm from the gatehouse. Running on selected days between Monday (Mar 30) and Sunday (Apr 12), the challenge invites children to track down the correct key to unlock a treasure chest.

Magic, stories and science

Creative youngsters can enjoy Magical Makes with Whimsical Wildlings on Tuesday (Apr 14), Wednesday (Apr 15) and Thursday (Apr 16), with drop-in craft sessions held in the castle’s undercroft from 10:30am to 2:00pm.

Meanwhile, Storymaster’s Quests: Tower of Doooooom! will take place on selected dates in early April, offering an interactive multimedia adventure created by author and games designer Oliver McNeil. The audience will shape the fate of their own hero in a tale filled with dragons, traps and treasure.

Hands-on learning continues with Wild Science sessions, featuring activities such as marine exploration, fossil hunting, owl pellet investigations and beginner bird walks.

Trebuchet returns

One of the highlights of the programme will be the launch of the castle’s giant trebuchet on Tuesday (Mar 31) and Tuesday (Apr 7) at 2:30pm, as the medieval siege engine is brought roaring back into action.

Daisy Hughes, Manager at Carew Castle, said: “Carew is an extraordinary place at any time of year, but Easter gives us the opportunity to really showcase everything it has to offer. The Weapons and Armour sessions in particular are always a favourite – there’s nothing quite like seeing a child’s face when they first lift a medieval sword.”

For full event details, visit the castle’s website.