New funds have been allocated to improve broadband services across Wales, just a week after Pembrokeshire was ranked among the worst places in the UK for internet speeds. The £56.9million cash injection aims to ensure that 90% of residential premises and businesses have access to super fast broadband by 2015.

Super fast broadband is defined by Ofcom as having speeds of greater than 24Mb per second.

Last week Pembrokeshire was ranked 195th out of 200 areas in the UK for broadband speeds in an Ofcom report.

The average broadband speed in Pembrokeshire is just 4.8Mb per second, which is 2.7Mb per second slower than the national average of 7.5Mb per second, and 19.2Mb below ‘super fast’ levels.

Many areas struggle to get broadband at all.

South Pembrokeshire MP Simon Hart said: “Poor broadband is one of the main gripes that I get in my mailbag.”

His Preseli counterpart Stephen Crabb, added: “This kind of strategic investment is extremely important for Wales and for Pembrokeshire.

“I have been in close contact with the Minister and the Welsh Assembly Government highlighting the concerns and frustration held by the community about a lack of basic broadband, never mind superfast connections in our county.”

Marketing manager for broadband delivery company TFL, Andrew Smith, said: “The grants are taking a holistic approach and will be useful for fixing Wales’ infrastructure.

“However, the £56million will be of no use to individuals right now who need broadband – it won’t be a quick fix.

“I don’t think we’ll see results for another few years yet to be honest.

“But £56m is always nice to have.”