Campaign launched to improve broadband speeds in Cardigan

Web users in Cardigan, west Wales, are campaigning for faster broadband speeds to help local businesses compete more effectively, reports the Tivy-Side Advertiser.

Many firms rely on fast internet connections to do business more quickly and efficiently, but with broadband speeds being generally slower in rural areas that are further from telephone exchanges, local people can often face a disadvantage.

A range of telephone exchanges in Wales have been scheduled to receive upgrades in the next year or so, but Cardigan facilities are not on the current list.

Mark Williams, local MP for Cardigan, told the paper: "This is completely unacceptable and I have written to BT demanding that they upgrade Cardigan's exchange so that our local businesses have every opportunity to thrive in what are already difficult economic times."

Many businesses rely on technology such as VoIP hardware over fast broadband connections to keep costs down and retain a competitive edge, but this is more difficult with reduced broadband facilities.

A total of £3 million is to be spent upgrading telephone exchanges in many parts of rural Scotland, according to a report from the BBC.