Welsh community receives better business broadband

An improvement to connection rates in one Welsh community will see companies gain access to better business broadband services.

BT has reported that Llanrwst has received an upgrade to its infrastructure with the rollout of next-generation technology.

The communications giant has installed copper lines in the Conwy Valley in Snowdonia, according to the North Wales Weekly News.

It is part of a scheme by BT to provide 17 communities with faster services, delivering speeds of more than double those previously available at up to 20 megabits per second (Mbps).

"As a business we deal a lot with the internet, communication with customer and suppliers and downloads and there is nothing worse than a slow internet connection," Huw Cunnah of Llanrwst's Ty furniture store told the news source.

He added that the faster connection speeds will boost his business, as between 15 and 20 per cent of sales are online and he can now use a smartphone to check his website in the shop.

BT director for Wales Ann Benyon explained that the company expects 71 per cent of companies and households in the country to be served by upgraded exchanges by summer 2012.

"In these challenging economic times, faster broadband can help businesses become more competitive, find new customers and work more flexibly," she declared.

Another part of the UK that will benefit from improved broadband services is Lincolnshire, with the local authority declaring that new plans mean the whole county will become an internet "hot spot".

A plan by the council to ensure all homes and businesses in the area can benefit from superfast internet connections over the coming five years has been approved by the government, with 90 per cent of properties expected to receive speeds of at least 24 Mbps by 2015.

"This isn't a luxury - that's why the county council is investing £10 million in this project," explained Lincolnshire County Council executive member for finance and HR Councillor Kelly Smith.