Welsh broadband revamp to make VoIP solutions more effective?

Companies in Wales that operate voice over internet protocol (VoIP) solutions might be delighted by the news that the country is to receive a broadband makeover.

BT has confirmed it will invest in 33 communities around Wales in a bid to improve infrastructure and increase online speeds available to businesses and residential properties, reported the BBC.

In total, some 130,000 premises are expected to benefit from the rollout of the latest technology and upgrades are due to be noticeable by the summer of 2012.

Ofcom believes several parts of the nation are currently among the worst in the UK in terms of broadband speeds and quality.

Indeed, the Wales Tourism Alliance has recently blamed the slow rates for the inability of many Welsh companies to compete in their chosen markets.

But that is all set to change with new copper wire technology being implemented. It is currently available to about a quarter of premises in the country, with this figure set to rise to three-quarters by the middle of next year.

Maria Battle, senior director of Consumer Focus Wales, said: "No-one should be unable to access services many people already take for granted just because of where they live.

"It is also pleasing to see the list of areas includes so many rural and valleys communities where consumers have often been unable to access the best deals and online services."

Among the areas due to benefit from the upgrade are Kidwelly, Aberystwyth, Gilwern, Brecon, Denbigh, Menai Bridge and Treorchy.

It is said that the latest BT investment will result in speeds of 20 Mbps being available to many people in Wales – more than twice as fast as the connections enjoyed by the majority of UK residents and companies.

BT recently announced some 47 locations across Scotland would benefit from the rollout of modern business broadband solutions.