Superfast and Ultrafast broadband are going to change everything we do – from shopping to healthcare - and it's set to be coming to Newport in December.

And Newport’s Super Connected City programme is starting to lead the way in delivering the change.

With £6m funding secured, the project, which is due to go live in December, is starting to make progress – for example recently working with local small businesses involved in the Newport Food Festival, and discussing the plans for a Super-Connected Newport with local small businesses.

Newport City Council leader Cllr Bob Bright said: “To make the Super-Connected City project a success, we need to show the demand for the services in the city. To do this we need to show how exciting the project really is. Newport based businesses are definitely leading the way.”

Newport based UK Plumbing Supplies has recently dramatically changed the way it runs its business.

Rather than coming to the store to find what they need, plumbers now order everything online – even when they’re on site, and a new mobile phone App allows customers to quickly order what they need. Supplies can then be delivered to site, or quickly picked up from the store – selected, packed, invoiced and ready to go. Changes like this can completely transform the efficiency of all businesses.

The next generation Super-Connected Newport is far more than just “the internet but faster”. It will change everything we do.

Helen Hughes, from the Ashton Park care home in Newport, said: “Increasingly, residents come to us expecting to use the internet – and it’s an important part of keeping them connected with friends and family. For example, residents can use video calls to keep in touch with family, even on the other side of the world. Developments like this are critical to providing the best care for our residents.”

Newport businesses can benefit directly – with up to £3,000 available through a voucher scheme to connect to superfast or ultrafast broadband.

There is £4m of funding available for Newport-based small businesses to claim to join the Super-Connected Newport. For more information, follow on Twitter @ConnectNewport and on the website www.newportunlimited.co.uk/superfast.