The UK Government has launched a £100m broadband transformation programme to provide better broadband connectivity to small businesses in ten cities.
The money, which is part of the Government’s £150m ‘Super Connected Cities’ programme, will be used for offering better quality, high speed broadband in the selected regions.
Small businesses located in Belfast, Salford, Portsmouth, Cardiff, Derby, Bristol, Edinburgh, Newport, London and Manchester can use the facility.
Currently, the programme has been launched across two Wales cities including in Cardiff and Newport, while the government also plans to expand the broadband connection scheme to 12 other cities around the country in early 2014.
Wales State secretary David Jones said superfast broadband is a key component of the state’s future economic success.
"By 2015, we will have achieved a truly remarkable transformation in broadband provision in Wales," Jones added.
"Speeds will be dramatically faster, and both fixed and mobile superfast broadband will be widespread."
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"Today’s announcement follows the announcement made in October where another 151 towns and villages in Wales will get high speed fibre broadband as part of the multi-million pound Superfast Cymru project."
Wales Office Minister Stephen Crabb said the launch of the voucher scheme marks a crucial landmark in the country’s ambition for the state to be a part of a world class connected country, a strong market for consumers, and a great place to do business.
"Providing high quality internet access is fundamental to the growth of our economy and today’s announcement shows that this Government is doing all it can to ensure that the UK has the best digital infrastructure," Crabb added.
The voucher scheme is said to allow businesses to apply for grants of about £3,000 each to cover the costs of installing faster and better broadband, which will allow them to offer better services.
The programme will benefit small and medium businesses that would help cities in creating and attracting new jobs as well as investments supporting the Government’s plan to transform the UK as an European business hub.
The UK Government has also announced funding of about £57m to the Welsh Government to provide broadband access to homes and businesses located in remote parts of Wales.
