BT announces south Wales fibre broadband speed boost

BT has announced plans to significantly increase its fibre optic broadband speeds for thousands of customers in Cardiff and other parts of south Wales.

The technology, which is available to more than 60,000 properties in the city centre, Llanishen, Llanedeyrn and Whitchurch, is set to see maximum download rates rise from 40Mbps to 80Mbps, while uploaded capabilities will double to 20Mbps.

Successful trials of the faster speeds have been conducted by the telecoms giant, which has also gained the necessary approval for the move from regulatory bodies.

Ann Beynon, BT's director for Wales, said the development will "significantly improve" the speeds available to customers across the region.

"It will provide a further boost for local businesses and home workers, as well as families and other people for whom the internet has become an essential part of their daily lives," she added.

The announcement comes just days after BT revealed it will deploy fibre broadband to two-thirds of UK properties by the end of 2014, a year earlier than planned.