SUPERFAST broadband is on its way to the Tenby and Saundersfoot areas.

Homes and businesses connected to the area’s exchanges will start to be able to access the service from this December as a result of the Superfast Cymru programme.

The partnership between the Welsh Government and BT aims to bring fast-fibre broadband to 96 per cent of properties in Wales within the next two years.

The announcement has been hailed as ‘good news for Saundersfoot and Tenby’ by deputy minister for skills and technology, Ken Skates.

He commented: “I would urge residents and businesses to register their interest on the Superfast Cymru website, if they haven’t done so already, to find out the latest updates. They can also find out how to access fast fibre broadband when the time comes.”

The area’s MP, Simon Hart, who recently held extensive meetings with BT about the roll-out of the project, said he was ‘delighted’ that the two communities are to be amongst the first in his constituency to be connected.

He pointed out that people will not get the faster service automatically, and that they will need to ‘opt in’ and ask their service provider to upgrade them.

“It may cost more, but I am assured that superfast will give speeds of at least 24mb, which will be a revelation for most of us,” he added.

Mr Hart added that the four per cent of ‘hard to reach’ properties will be able to access a pot of Welsh Assembly money to get broadband by different means. Also welcoming the service was Mid and West Wales AM Rebecca Evans, who said: “This is great news for households. It is also good news for businesses - many of which rely on fast and reliable internet speeds.”

For more information, visit www.superfast-cymru.com