NORTH Wales is to receive a broadband boost as Openreach targets ‘harder to reach’ areas.

The firm outlined plans to make ultrafast, ultra-reliable and future-proof broadband available in a number of villages across North Wales.

In addition to Denbigh and Flint the villages of Caergwrle, Cefn-y-Bedd, Hope, Holywell, Carmel, Brynford, Gorsedd, Mostyn, Berthengam, Ffynongroyw, Pen-y-Ffordd and Henllan are among the locations across north Wales that will benefit from the future proof technology.

It’s part of a bigger announcement involving 227 ‘harder to reach’ areas targeting more than 250,000 homes and businesses across the UK, with building to start in the next 14 months, supporting Openreach’s previously stated target to reach four million homes and businesses with ‘full fibre’ technology by the end of March 2021.

These new locations across North Wales are part of the company’s ambition to extend its new ‘full’ fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) network outside cities.

The work builds on successful cost busting village trials launched at the tail end of last year which have seen engineers developing a range of new tools, skills and techniques to help Openreach build full fibre in areas previously considered too complex or expensive to upgrade.

Deputy Minister for Economy Lee Waters said: “I welcome this announcement from Openreach to extend its ‘full’ fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) network even further across Wales.

“Between public and private sector investment “full fibre” coverage in Wales is already higher than the UK average so it’s good to see this progress continuing.

“Even though telecommunications is not devolved we have worked hard through our Superfast Cymru programme, backed by a £200m public sector investment, to improve access to superfast broadband in Wales, and now more than 95 per cent have it.”

Connie Dixon, Openreach’s partnership director for Wales, said: “This is great news for people living and working in North Wales and builds on Openreach’s strong track record of working in rural areas, for years playing a key role alongside the Welsh Government to upgrade nearly 95 per cent of Wales to superfast broadband.

To view the full list visit www.openreach.com/fibre-broadband