Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Julie James: With Clive Davies of 4CG

CARDIGAN SOCIAL ENTERPRISE 4CG has been given the X-factor after switching to superfast broadband thanks to the Superfast Cymru programme.

Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Julie James visited the group’s ‘Y Twr’ office recently to see how upgrading to Superfast Broadband has made a difference.

4CG which is made up of over 700 community shareholders run a range of community-owned facilities in the local area.

In 2013, the group purchased the old police station and converted it into office space to let.

Making the move to superfast broadband at the site has played an important role in enabling 4CG to rent out individual office space as well as offer a sound proofed room for recording and uploading soundtracks via the fast and efficient online connection.

Shan Williams, 4CG co-founder and director, said: “Access to faster and stronger internet speeds is becoming increasingly important to businesses.

“Being able to offer the incentive of superfast broadband connection has played an important part in 4CG being able to rent out individual office space at the old police station in Cardigan. Our ‘Rhwyd Teifi’ WiFi project in the town is also helping enable local people to connect to the internet.”

One company to take up one of the office spaces in Cardigan is Planet Clegg who work for shows such as the X-Factor live tour and having access to superfast broadband was an important issue when they decided to move premises.

Mike Clegg of Planet Clegg said: “We work with live music shows and also produce them. These are mainly large arena shows, such as the X factor live tour.

“Superfast broadband is absolutely vital in ensuring we do our work to the highest standard possible as we need to access the web for research, communication and transferring large amounts of data and video footage.

“Moving to this office has enabled us to access those faster internet speeds. Without it we wouldn’t be able to perform our demanding duties.”

To date over 73% of premises served off the Cardigan exchange are able to access faster internet speeds thanks to Superfast Cymru.

Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Julie James said: “It has been great to see the positive impact switching to superfast broadband has had for 4CG and the businesses it lets its offices out to.

“Superfast Cymru is delivering access to quick and efficient connection speeds which can open new doors for businesses allowing them to grow and develop as well as communicate and reach out to the global market.

“We have intervened to provide access to superfast services as private companies decided it was not commercially viable for them alone to roll-out fibre in these areas. As a result, over 550,000 premises in all parts of Wales are now able to access it thanks to Superfast Cymru and work continues to provide access for more homes and businesses.”

Alwen Williams, director for BT Cymru /Wales, said: “Superfast broadband is having a huge impact on the way we live our lives in Wales.”

“As proven by the 4CG, having access to superfast broadband helps business to move, act and trade more quickly and effectively.

“When combined with BT’s commercial roll-out, we’ve already provided more than 1.24m Welsh homes and businesses with access to high-speed fibre broadband and we look forward to working with our partners to extend this even further across the country.

“As we continue to build the infrastructure we would urge people to take advantage of this technology and sign up with a broadband service provider.”

The regulator Ofcom recognised that Wales has the highest availability of superfast broadband of any of the devolved nations.

The Superfast Cymru programme is a huge undertaking that will involve laying 17,500kms of optical fibre cable, installing around 3,000 new green roadside cabinets and sees, on average, more than 100 premises getting access to superfast broadband across Wales every hour.

Households and businesses in the area which want to take advantage of the benefits of fast fibre broadband should contact an internet service provider (ISP) of their choice to place an order. Information about the roll-out is published on the Superfast Cymru website (www.superfast-cymru.com).

Last year the Welsh Government announced a £12.5m five year programme to ensure businesses across Wales can maximise the benefits of superfast broadband. Further information is available on: www.businesswales.gov.wales/superfastbusinesswales