A digital transformation is taking place in Pembrokeshire as a pioneering programme provides ultrafast connections for public buildings.

Public facilities across the county, including libraries, leisure centres, day centres and civic amenities, now have access to futureproof, gigabit capable broadband.

Full-fibre to the premises (FTTP) is now live at nearly 50 sites, where ultrafast speeds, capable of 1,000 Mbps are now available.

The 48 locations also include, harbours, civic amenities, family centres and youth centres.

These facilities offer a range of important services to the public, and users’ experience will be greatly improved by an enhanced digital connection.

Lee McSparron, Head of ICT at Pembrokeshire County Council, said: “I am extremely proud that this work to connect important public buildings in Pembrokeshire to futureproof broadband has been completed.

“By connecting public buildings there is an obvious upgrade to the services we can provide to the public in an increasingly digital age.

“However, there is also the benefit of making commercial intervention to upgrade broadband in the surrounding areas more viable by improving the infrastructure in the vicinity.

“It is an exciting time for broadband in Pembrokeshire and I look forward to further announcements as we continue our drive towards making Pembrokeshire one of the best digitally connected counties in the UK.”

Mr. McSparron explained that by introducing a gigabit-capable service, it also increased viability for commercial intervention in the surrounding areas, stimulating the market to build more networks in the vicinity.

The programme works not only by upgrading the public sector building but it upgrades the infrastructure on route to the premise, so increasing the viability for other providers.

It is hoped that nearby residential and business properties will then benefit from a broadband boost as a result of their proximity to these new fibre hubs, as the Digital Pembrokeshire team works to maximise network connections.

The team is working to make the county one of the best digitally connected in the UK, futureproofing against technological advances, and boosting online opportunities for businesses and residents.

Digital Infrastructure Minister, Julia Lopez, said: “Our investment means the people that work for and use Pembrokeshire’s vital public services will now benefit from lightning fast and ultra-reliable internet connections. "This is just the start of our plan to level up broadband in Wales, with thousands of hard-to-reach homes and businesses set to get next-generation connections through our £5 billion Project Gigabit.”

The public building digital upgrade is in addition to Pembrokeshire County Council’s ground-breaking gigabit capable rural fibre broadband project.

This project continues to roll out across the county in a bid to provide all properties with access to ultrafast fibre connections.

Government vouchers are utilised to bring fibre right to the premises, without an installation fee to the customer.

Connections are continuing in the project’s pilot areas, and more than 10 per cent of Pembrokeshire properties have now secured a supplier to build the new network.

To find out more about the work of Digital Pembrokeshire visit www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/broadband