The opportunity for more than 1,300 properties across Powys communities to access ultrafast broadband has been welcomed by both the county council and the MP.

Openreach is behind the scheme and needs residents and businesses in Llanwrtyd Wells, New Radnor, Berriew and Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant, who want faster browsing speeds, to apply for UK Government Gigabit Vouchers which will be used to help fund the extension of its full fibre network.

An additional scheme is also set to take place in Llyswen.

More information on the Openreach project can be found here.

Residents and businesses in the four communities can check if they qualify by entering their postcode on Openreach’s Connect My Community website.

Using the UK Government Gigabit Vouchers to help pay for the build won’t cost residents and businesses anything, but they will have to commit to ordering a full fibre service from a provider of their choice for at least 12 months once the new network is available and confirm they are connected.

More information on UK Government Gigabit Vouchers can be found here.

MP for Brecon & Radnorshire Fay Jones has pushed for faster broadband in during her tenure as an MP.

“Access to fast, reliable fibre broadband is something that I have consistently pushed for during my time as MP for Brecon and Radnorshire, so I am delighted to see that Openreach is set to roll out their community fibre schemes further into the New Radnor, Llanwrtyd Wells and Llyswen areas," said Ms Jones.

"Eligible homes are set to receive a postcard from Openreach in the coming weeks, but I would encourage residents in these areas to head to the Openreach website to enter their details and sign up.

"We will continue to work with Openreach to ensure that the whole constituency is connected up as quickly as possible.”

Cllr Jake Berriman, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for a Connected Powys, said: “This is a great opportunity for homes and businesses in these four communities to get access to a faster full fibre network which is often only available in more urban areas.

"As many as 1,351 properties in Llanwrtyd Wells, New Radnor, Berriew and Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant are eligible, but Openreach will only be able to connect them if enough people sign up and pledge their vouchers to the scheme.”

Full fibre is a fibre-optic broadband connection that goes directly to your property. It provides the fastest internet speeds available in the UK, and offers the most consistent, reliable connection.

For more information on this or other opportunities email: [email protected]