Spreading the Ultrafast Word at Senedd Drop-In

Openreach , 21st March 2023

Members of the Senedd and their support staff were able to quiz Openreach’s Wales Board members and engineers at a recent Senedd drop-in event about the innovative technology that’s being used by the nation’s largest network builder to roll-out its Full Fibre network across the country.

In addition to learning more about how Openreach is using VR headsets and submersible drones to bring some of the fastest and most reliable broadband speeds in Europe to Wales, MSs were able to try their hand at fibre splicing, when two fibres are joined together, under the guidance of apprentice engineers – Rebecca Bryant Craig and Lewis Erskine.

The drop-in session was hosted by Kim Mears, Openreach Wales Board Chair. She said:

“We all know that reliable, ultrafast internet connections can have a huge effect on businesses and households.

“We’ve already reached more than 630,000 homes and businesses across Wales with ultrafast Full Fibre technology but we know there’s more to do and we’re committed to doing it.

“This is one the very largest engineering projects of our generation and I’m proud of the work our engineers are doing up and down the country.

“We were delighted to be able to take that positive story to MSs today and set out our vision and plans for bringing ultrafast broadband to Wales.”

As well as being faster, Full Fibre broadband provides more reliable, resilient and future-proof connectivity, with fewer faults; more predictable, consistent speeds; and enough capacity to use multiple devices at once.

Sponsor of the drop-in was Huw-Irranca Davies MS for Ogmore who said:

“We all know the importance of a good broadband connection both at home and at work – and the need to upgrade our digital infrastructure to Full Fibre, which is faster and more reliable.

“The economic benefits of connecting everyone in Wales to Full Fibre are clear and the investment that Openreach is putting into its Full Fibre infrastructure and the training and development of both recruits and existing engineers is a great demonstration of their commitment and their ambition for Wales.”

Openreach has announced plans to invest in Full Fibre broadband for the majority of premises across Wales. It’s part of the company’s plans to reach 25 million UK homes and businesses by the end of 2026. This short video explains what Full fibre technology is and you can find out more about our build programme here.

With a workforce of around 2,300 in Wales, Openreach employs the nation’s largest team of telecoms engineers and professionals.

Recent research by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) highlighted the clear economic benefits of connecting everyone in Wales to full fibre. It estimated this would create a £2 billion boost to the Welsh economy.

Roedd Aelodau’r Senedd a’u staff cymorth wedi cael cyfle i holi aelodau Bwrdd Openreach a pheirianwyr y cwmni mewn sesiwn diweddar yn y Senedd a drefnwyd i drafod y dechnoleg arloesol mae’r cwmni yn gosod er mwyn lledu ei rwydwaith ffeibr cyflawn ar draws y wlad.

Yn ogystal â dysgu mwy am sut mae Openreach yn defnyddio setiau pen VR a dronau o dan y dŵr er mwyn darparu’r band eang mwyaf cyflym a dibynadwy yn Ewrop yng Nghymru, roedd yr Aelodau hefyd wedi cael cyfle i drio sbleisio ffeibr gyda chymorth y prentis beirianwyr - Rebecca Bryant Craig a Lewis Erskine.

Cyflwynwyd y sesiwn gan Kim Mears, cadeirydd Bwrdd Cymru Openreach. Dywedodd:

“Mae pawb yn deall bod cysylltiadau rhyngrwyd tra-chyflym a dibynadwy yn gallu cael effaith enfawr mewn busnesau a chartrefi.

“Rydym eisoes wedi cyrraedd dros 630,000 cartref a busnes drwy Gymru gyda thechnoleg ffeibr cyflawn ond mae dal llawer o waith i wneud, ac rydym yn benderfynol o’i gyflawni.”

“Mae hwn yn un o’r projectau peirianneg mwyaf erioed gan y genhedlaeth hon ac rwy’n falch iawn o waith ein peirianwyr ar hyd a lled y wlad.

“Roeddem wedi gwerthfawrogi’r cyfle i drafod ein stori gydag Aelodau’r Senedd heddiw ac olrhain ein cynlluniau i ddarparu band eang tra-chyflym drwy Gymru gyfan.”

Yn ogystal â darparu gwasanaeth cyflymach, mae band eang ffeibr cyflawn yn cynnig cysylltedd mwy dibynadwy a chadarn ar gyfer y dyfodol, gyda llai o namau; a chyflymderau mwy cyson; a chynhwysedd digonol er defnyddio sawl dyfais ar yr un pryd.

Noddwr y sesiwn oedd Huw-Irranca Davies AS Ogwr a ddywedodd:

“Mae pawb yn deall pa mor bwysig yw cysylltiad band eang da yn y cartref a gwaith - a bod angen uwchraddio ein rhwydwaith i ffeibr cyflawn, sy’n fwy cyflym a dibynadwy.

“Mae’r buddion economaidd o gysylltu pawb yng Nghymru â ffeibr cyflawn yn glir ac mae buddsoddiad Openreach yn ei rwydwaith ffeibr cyflawn, a hyfforddi a datblygu recriwtiaid newydd a pheirianwyr cyfredol yn adlewyrchu ei ymroddiad i gefnogi Cymru gyfan.”

Yn ddiweddar cyhoeddodd Openreach raglen i ddarparu band eang ffeibr cyflawn yn y rhan helaeth o gartrefi a busnesau yng Nghymru. Sef rhan o gynllun y cwmni i gyrraedd 25 miliwn cartref a busnes yn y Deyrnas Unedig erbyn diwedd 2026. Dyma fideo byr yn esbonio technegol ffeibr cyflawn a manylion ein rhaglen adeiladu yma.

Gyda gweithlu o oddeutu 2,300 yng Nghymru, mae Openreach eisoes yn cyflogi’r tîm mwyaf o beirianwyr a gweithwyr cysylltiedig yn y wlad.

Ymchwil diweddar gan CEBR (Centre for Economics and Business Research) wedi tanlinellu’r buddion economaidd clir o gysylltu pawb yng Nghymru â ffeibr cyflawn. Amcangyfrifwyd byddai’n rhoi hwb gwerth £2 biliwn i economi Cymru.