The future of Wales’ communications networks and how they will compare to the best in Europe are some of the questions that will be discussed on the third day of this year’s Royal Welsh Agricultural Show (Wednesday July 23) when the Farmers’ Union of Wales and Ofcom host a discussion group with a panel of industry experts.
FUW deputy president Glyn Roberts, who is delighted the union is once again hosting this event at the Royal Welsh Show, said: "This is the third consecutive year at the show that the FUW has collaborated with Ofcom in providing a platform for discussion on the wide ranging communications issues facing rural Wales.
"The FUW has campaigned relentlessly over the years for improved broadband and has fully supported the Superfast Cymru initiative from the outset.
"We regard reliable and fast broadband essential for rural communities and businesses to develop. It is now a requirement for farmers of all ages to use computer technology for their online business and social transactions and, naturally, they demand and require the fastest connections available.
“Online IACS, BCSM online and the incoming EID are just a few examples that farmers throughout Wales require reliable and fast internet connections for, so as a union we cannot stress the fact enough that more needs to be done to help rural communities and farm businesses by providing them with the essentials that every twenty-first century business needs.”
Joining ITV’s political editor Adrian Masters to discuss the availability of broadband and mobile services in rural Wales on the discussion panel will be Aberconwy MP Guto Bebb, BT programme director for Superfast Cymru Ed Hunt, Ceredigion AM Elin Jones, internet service provider Xwavia’s finance director Dafydd Wyn Thomas and Ofcom’s Wales director Rhodri Williams.
“It promises to be a lively discussion and one of great importance to those living in rural Wales. There is widespread agreement that reliable and speedy communications are necessary components to allow individuals and businesses to participate fully in the digital age and we look forward to discussing this on Wednesday,” said BT programme director for Superfast Cymru Ed Hunt.
“Broadband is widely regarded as a fourth utility and recognising that, governments in Westminster and Cardiff have invested heavily to ensure widespread roll-out of what is labelled as “superfast broadband”.
“The installation of hundreds of miles of fibre optic cable between telephone exchanges and cabinets across Wales is due to complete by spring 2016, but even that is forecast to leave 4% of the premises in Wales with connections of less than 24 megabits per second, or in some cases, no connection at all.
“The other component of a modern communications landscape is widespread mobile coverage. When conducting the auction of 4G spectrum on behalf of the government, Ofcom imposed a coverage obligation of 95 percent of premises in Wales on the winner of one of the lots,” added Mr Hunt.
For more information please contact Elinor Williams, Ofcom Wales on 029 20467 217 (0788 198 7188) or FUW finance controller Wyn Lewis on 07720879257.