THE UK Government should provide a scheme to offset the extra cost of satellite provisions for those affected by the collapse of a broadband company working in rural areas, according to a local MP.

Jonathan Edwards, MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, is calling on the UK Government to help those in rural communities such as Dyffryn Cennen and Llanfihangel Aberbythych with extra costs to allow them to get a broadband connection. The communities had been working with Broadway Partners to secure a broadband connection but the company went into administration earlier this year.

Speaking in the House of Commons’ access to broadband services debate, Mr Edwards said: “The communities of Dyffryn Cennen and Llanfihangel Aberbythych have been working incredibly hard with the company to secure internet provision. There is understandable frustration in the community who currently struggle with slow speeds making working from home and completing homework online nearly impossible.

“The easiest way for this to develop would be for the business to be sold as a going concern. I have contact the administrators, Teneo, to request an update on the situation. If this doesn’t happen there is serious worry that people who were on the verge of finally getting broadband in very rural parts of west Wales will now face a wait of many years.

“There is a potential solution in satellite and mobile technology, but these are cost prohibitive. The monthly cost of satellite packages is far more expensive than conventional broadband packages.

“I would therefore ask the government to come up with a scheme for the cohort of people who are on the verge of achieving broadband via Broadway which offsets the extra costs they would face to receive satellite provision.”

Broadway Partners went into administration in June, 2023, leaving many communities without the ultrafast broadband connection they were set to receive.