Indigenous broadband provider and infrastructure company Ogi has confirmed a major expansion of its network reach across Wales in the latest phase of a £200m investment.
Extending its roll out to Bridgend, Caerphilly and Rhondda Cynon Taf, Ogi will begin work in some of these areas immediately. The announcement brings Ogi’s ultrafast services to a total of seven local authority areas – taking coverage to 80,000 premises and 38 communities, including Chepstow, Caldicot, Hengoed, Magor, Neyland, Pembroke, Pembroke Dock, Porth, Porthcawl and Ystrad Mynach. The latest expansion marks the mid point of its first phase plan of reaching 150,000 premises.
Ogi has also seen staff numbers increasing from 20 to almost 140 in 18 months, with the business opening four new regional offices in Newport, Tongwynlais, Cardiff and St Clears.
Infracapital has provide the bulk of its £200m funding to expand.
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Its efforts to improve broadband access come as the Senedd’s Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee has called on the Welsh Government to do more to help rural communities access better connectivity. The latest expansion sees Ogi on course to bring fibre to a third of all premises in Pembrokeshire.
Just one in three premises in Wales currently has access to full fibre-optic connectivity, with Britain in general lagging behind many European countries, where coverage can be as high as 90%.
Ogi’s chief executive Ben Allwright, said: “Ogi is leading Wales’s digital revolution by bringing full fibre infrastructure to areas that really need it.
“These iconic communities are bursting with innovation and creativity – and they deserve the best connectivity to help them realise their potential. As we’re seeing in places like Pembrokeshire, only Ogi can make that access a reality. Our networks are enabling businesses to thrive, wherever they are based; helping people to work closer to where they live; and families to experience the best possible home entertainment.”
Minister for Climate Change, Julie James, said: “The impact of fast, affordable broadband for homes and businesses across Wales cannot be underestimated. Ogi is helping to deliver that standard across south Wales, supporting Wales in its drive to become a digital nation.”
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