£170m will be made available to deliver digital infrastructure for 70,000 homes and businesses in Wales, the UK Government has said.

A deal signed with telecoms provider, Openreach will deliver gigabit-capable broadband for hard-to-reach premises.

It is the first time Wales, the region with the lowest percentage of gigabit coverage, will benefit from this programme.

The Government aims to achieve full gigabit coverage by 2030.

The upgrade will apply to some of the most remote parts of Wales- including Brecon and Radnorshire.

The deal with Openreach represents one of the biggest milestones in the rollout of Project Gigabit, which targets places too expensive for providers to reach in their commercial build and which would otherwise be left behind with poor digital infrastructure.

The deal is part of a wider UK Government plan which will make up to £800 million available to deliver gigabit connection across Great Britain.

Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Peter Kyle said:  “Over the past decade, the UK’s broadband rollout has clearly not happened fast enough and has overlooked too many areas, especially in Scotland and Wales. Robust digital infrastructure is essential for growth, productivity and competitiveness and this shortfall not only poses risks to our economic stability, but also entrenches existing inequalities across the country.

“We are fixing this by delivering for hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses up and down the country, focusing on the areas that were not prioritised by the previous government, such as Wales.

“Today marks a significant milestone in delivering on our promise to redouble our efforts to achieve full gigabit coverage by 2030 and lay the foundations for a more inclusive, dynamic and prosperous future for all citizens.

Powys Councillor Iain McIntosh (Yscir with Honddu Isaf and Llanddew) has applauded the news but has accused the Technology Secretary of “claiming undue credit” over the development.

“This breakthrough is a direct result of the dedicated efforts of our former MP Fay Jones, James Evans MS, and myself, tirelessly campaigning to improve our digital landscape,” said Cllr Mcintosh.

“The recently announced contracts have been secured to ensure nearly 70,000 homes and businesses across Wales will benefit from high-speed fibre connectivity. This monumental achievement underlines the commitment of our team to bridge the digital divide in our communities.

“It is disheartening to observe the current Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle MP, and his party claiming undue credit for this development. It must be made clear that this progress is not a product of their short tenure, but rather the culmination of prolonged and dedicated efforts by our Conservative team. Their recent statements are misleading and overlook the years of groundwork laid by Conservatives who have long championed the digital needs of rural Wales.”

Cllr McIntosh, who has championed rural connectivity in Mid Wales, added that “our work is far from finished”.

“There remain numerous areas that are challenging to reach, and our goal remains clear – to ensure every resident in Wales has access to reliable, high-speed internet,” he said.

“It is crucial that the new government not only continues on this path but also accelerates its efforts to eliminate all connectivity gaps.

“We call on all involved parties to maintain their momentum and ensure that no resident is left behind in our journey towards a fully connected Wales, and I can confirm that we will continue working with other service providers to accelerate improvements in areas the Labour Government leave behind.”