The ITS Technology Group has announced it has secured a £3.5 million contract to deploy a dark fibre broadband network across Carmarthenshire in southwest Wales, marking its first project in South Wales.
This initiative is part of the Swansea Bay City Deal’s Digital Infrastructure Programme, aiming to enhance connectivity for public sector sites and drive regional digital transformation.
Under this contract, ITS will establish a dark fibre network connecting 41 public sector locations across 34 sites, including education institutions, healthcare facilities, and local authorities. The project involves key partners such as Carmarthenshire County Council, the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Hywel Dda University Health Board, and Coleg Sir Gâr. The new infrastructure will also link data centres, enabling secure, high-speed data transfer for large-scale storage, sharing, and processing.
In addition to serving public sector needs, ITS plans to extend its fibre infrastructure to pass more than 2,800 local businesses, creating a private investment opportunity that will provide gigabit-capable services to the wider community. This expansion will mirror the existing full fibre network, which currently employs 10Gbps-capable XGS-PON technology, with ongoing tests of next-generation 50G PON capable of speeds up to 41.8Gbps downstream and 19.2Gbps upstream. The first commercial rollout of this advanced technology is expected in early 2026, though it remains to be seen whether it will be incorporated into the Carmarthenshire project or how long the deployment will take.
“This project marks a significant step in transforming Carmarthenshire’s digital landscape. It’s our first public sector contract in South Wales and provides a foundation for future innovation, economic growth, and community prosperity,” said Daren Baythorpe, CEO of ITS.
“This investment will improve the quality and reliability of services for our communities and act as a catalyst for further digital infrastructure development. It will foster innovation and help ensure our region benefits from the latest technological advancements,” said Cllr Hazel Evans of Carmarthenshire County Council.
This initiative aligns with broader efforts to bridge the digital divide, boost local economies, and enable the delivery of high-capacity, future-proof connectivity to both public services and local businesses in Carmarthenshire. The build’s timeline remains uncertain, but it promises to lay the groundwork for a more connected and digitally resilient region.
