The Swansea Bay City Deal’s Digital Infrastructure (DI) Programme has announced the successful completion of a significant £1.9 million investment in full fibre connectivity across the region, in partnership with BT through the Public Sector Broadband Aggregation (PSBA).
This project has upgraded 69 public sector sites spanning Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire, and Pembrokeshire, delivering faster, more reliable, and scalable broadband services to support the region’s evolving public services.
From leisure centres to country parks and council buildings, the new fibre network ensures that public sector organisations have access to high-quality broadband infrastructure that enables them to modernize service delivery and improve operational efficiency. An illustrative example is Pembrey Country Park, where full fibre connectivity has allowed the park to phase out outdated radio-based systems and transition to a more dependable digital platform, resulting in cost savings and enhanced visitor services. Similarly, several libraries across Carmarthenshire, Swansea, and Neath Port Talbot have migrated away from legacy systems, boosting public access to digital resources.
Beyond benefiting public services, this fibre expansion acts as a catalyst for wider regional connectivity. Many of the connected sites are in areas previously lacking sufficient fibre infrastructure, and this investment helps extend the region’s fibre spine. This expansion makes it easier and more attractive for commercial providers to extend full fibre coverage to homes and businesses, especially in rural and underserved communities.
This initiative is a core component of the DI Programme’s Connected Places workstream, which aims to equip public sector organisations with vital digital infrastructure to foster innovation, drive transformation, and promote inclusive economic growth across the region.
“Through this investment, we’re enabling our local authorities and health partners to innovate, deliver smarter services, and ultimately improve the lives of residents. This project is a major step towards the Digital Infrastructure Programme’s vision of a smart, inclusive digital region that can meet the connectivity demands of today and tomorrow,” said Swansea Council leader and Chair of the Swansea Bay City Deal Joint Committee, Cllr Rob Stewart.
