Full Fibre to Public Sector Sites
Overview
The project will drive full fibre connectivity to 69 public sector sites in need of improved infrastructure, providing a fast, reliable, future-proofed network to meet increasing digital demands and support the wider digital transformation agendas of the public sector.
Full fibre infrastructure provides the foundation to digitise public services, leading to better user experiences for residents and businesses, efficiencies and cost savings for partners, and the potential for innovative digital applications such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) experiences to be developed at key tourist locations like Pembrey Country Park and Margam Country Park.
The project is being delivered in collaboration with BT via Welsh Government’s Public Sector Broadband Aggregation (PSBA). The PSBA connects public sector organisations across Wales to a private and secure Wide Area Network, offering a fully managed service that enhances business-critical connectivity, and allows organisations to benefit from innovative, cost-effective, and resilient network services that drive productivity. Beneficiaries of the project include all four local authorities across the Swansea Bay City Region, Hywel Dda University Health Board and Swansea Bay University Health Board.
Simon Davies, Head of Economic Development and Property at Carmarthenshire County Council who also chairs the Digital Infrastructure Programme Board said:
Upgrading these locations to having gigabit-capable infrastructure is essential for their future prosperity. Our regional public sector partners need to move forward with their use of digital technology to ensure that the best experiences can be offered and this project is a valuable part of achieving that.Simon Davies, Carmarthenshire County Council
Approximately 425 residential and business premises will benefit from improved broadband as a result of this project, stimulating further commercial investment and accelerating the rollout of full fibre networks across the region.
This £2m joint investment by the Swansea Bay City Deal’s Digital Infrastructure Programme and Welsh Government’s Local Broadband Fund will provide crucial infrastructure upgrades that will enhance the quality of life for residents and businesses, attract new investment, and stimulate economic growth.
Project Objectives
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1
Future proofing key sitesEnsuring our public sector assets have robust connectivity for at least the next 20 years to accommodate increasing digital needs and allow for the adoption of new and emerging technologies.
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Digital transformationProviding sites with the underlying digital infrastructure required to adopt modern technologies and operational methods, resulting in faster, more convenient, and higher-quality public services.
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3
Cost savingsFull fibre is faster and more reliable which means less maintenance, allowing for savings to be reinvested into improving the quality of service delivery.
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4
Stimulating investmentAllowing the market to further invest across the region and accelerating rollout, bringing full fibre connectivity to more residents and businesses.
