FOUR towns in Blaenau Gwent have become the first communities in south Wales to switch to high-speed fibre broadband as part of the Superfast Cymru roll-out.

Abertillery has "gone live", joining Cwm, Ebbw Vale and Tredegar, with more than 17,000 homes and businesses already able to access the technology. Once the roll-out is completed that number will rise to more than 26,000.

Brynmawr is also due to go live soon with Blaina expected to join by the end of the year.

Fibre broadband provides speeds faster than those previously available with ultra-fast broadband providing an even bigger improvement should businesses require it.

Superfast Cymru, a partnership between the Welsh Government and BT, aims to take fibre broadband the length and breadth of Wales, to areas not covered by the private sector’s commercial plans.

Ken Skates, Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, said: “I’m delighted that Blaenau Gwent is to become the first area in south Wales to experience the many benefits of improved connectivity.

“Blaenau Gwent is already home to the Welsh Government-led Ebbw Vale Enterprise Zone, where we’re trying to provide the best possible conditions for businesses to succeed. Access to fast, reliable broadband will only further our efforts to help the wider business community, attracting all-important investment and opening the door to so many commercial opportunities.”

Ed Hunt, BT’s programme director for Superfast Cymru, added: “BT’s commercial roll-out has already given access to fibre broadband to more than 550,000 homes and businesses in Wales and this ambitious project is set to significantly boost those numbers.

“This announcement is an important milestone for South Wales and Blaenau Gwent in particular and a real boost to homes and businesses in these valley towns. Fibre broadband can provide a multitude of opportunities for families to explore new horizons that will enrich their lives while it will enable businesses to grow and compete on a level playing field with competitors anywhere in the world.”

Engineers from BT’s local network business, Openreach, will have laid around 17,500 kilometres of optical fibre cable and installed around 3,000 new fibre broadband cabinets in streets the length and breadth of Wales by the time the project is completed.