Broadband boost: Rural Flintshire among areas to benefit from £289m investment

Flintshire is set to benefit from a £289 million broadband expansion under the UK Government’s Project Gigabit, which aims to deliver lightning-fast internet to some of the most isolated communities across Wales.

Around 37,000 homes and businesses across Wales will gain access to gigabit-capable broadband, providing faster, more reliable internet speeds.

This will bring significant benefits to rural communities, enabling better access to services like virtual healthcare consultations and remote education, while also supporting businesses to expand and thrive online.

The new contract, worth £79 million, has been signed between the UK Government and telecoms provider Openreach to connect rural areas, including towns and villages in North and South West Wales.

The rollout will cover counties such as Flintshire, Conwy, Wrexham, and Denbighshire, helping to close the digital gap between urban and rural areas.

Telecoms Minister, Sir Chris Bryant, said:

“For families and businesses across rural Wales, fighting for bandwidth with neighbours will soon be a thing of the past, thanks to this UK Government programme bringing lightning-fast internet to rural areas.

“Better broadband will not only enhance the quality of life for tens of thousands of homes and businesses across rural Wales, such as in Flintshire and Conwy, but it will also help us put an end to disparities between urban and rural areas, making Britain a fairer place for all.”

This announcement forms part of four contracts worth £289 million, which will provide gigabit broadband to 131,000 additional premises across England and Wales.

In Wales alone, communities such as Betws-y-Coed, Llangollen, and Anglesey will join those in Flintshire in gaining access to some of the fastest broadband speeds available.

Economic and Social Benefits

The rollout is a major step in the UK Government’s Plan for Change, aiming to kickstart economic growth and break down barriers to opportunity.

Gigabit broadband will allow households and businesses to make the most of digital opportunities, from seamless remote working to high-quality video calls that combat loneliness for pensioners.

Young people will benefit from improved access to online education and career opportunities, while businesses can better serve customers and grow their operations.

Unlike traditional copper networks, gigabit-capable broadband delivers consistent speeds and eliminates buffering, even at peak times.

Families can surf, stream, and download on multiple devices simultaneously without interruptions, improving everyday life and connectivity.

Project Gigabit has already committed to delivering faster internet to over 1.1 million hard-to-reach premises across the UK, and the latest contracts are expected to expand this further in the months ahead.

With up to £800 million in funding available, the government aims to modernise rural broadband infrastructure and end the frustrations of slow, unreliable connections.