BT fibre broadband goes live in Aberdare

BT Infinity fibre optic broadband can now be received by the first homes and businesses in the Welsh town of Aberdare.

The company's engineers are set to connect more than 13,000 properties in the area over the coming weeks, while a further 12,000 commercial and residential premises in Aberkenfig and Kenfig Hill will be hooked up over the same period.

Once the work is complete, the number of properties in Wales with access to super-fast broadband will have risen to around 220,000. Another 250,000 Welsh premises are due to be connected later this year.

Christine Chapman, AM for Cynon Valley, said: "Super-fast broadband will create new opportunities for everyone in the town, giving our businesses a competitive edge as well as opening new doors for people of every age and background."

Last November, BT announced fibre optic broadband customers in Cardiff and other parts of Wales will see their download and upload speeds roughly double this spring to 80Mbps and 20Mbps respectively.