THE second phase of Wales’ superfast broadband rollout has been announced, alongside renewed claims that Monmouthshire is at the ‘back of the queue’ when it comes to prioritising internet speeds.

Concerns were raised by Monmouth AM Nick Ramsay, who raised the case of a constituent who was not able to receive upgraded broadband due to administrative errors to the Welsh Government’s minister with responsibility for digital infrastructure Julie James AM.

Mr Ramsay highlighted the case for constituent in Newcastle near Monmouth, who faced a long delay with accessing superfast broadband because of an error with the keeping of records, and also suggested there was a perception that Monmouthshire was at the “back of BT broadband’s queue”.

“The reason for the delay in that connection was because records held by BT Broadband were wrong and they thought couldn’t receive it,” Mr Ramsay said. “It turns out that he could get it, so his frustration was unnecessary.”

The AM also added there is a perception that: “Monmonmouthshire, along with some other rural areas, is often at the back of bt broadband’s queue, certainly when it comes to supplying superfast.”

Highlighting ongoing criticism from numerous AMs, Mr Ramsay added he hoped the second phase of the rollout would be “managed better” than it had been in the past.

Meanwhile, members of Llangattock-vibon-avel Community Council were updated by Councillor Graham Edmunds who announced at their February meeting that super-fast broadband had been enabled for Skenfrith between the Brink Lane and the end of the village and residents in the village could now recieve speeds of 33mb/sec.

Cllr Edmunds advised anyone interested in seeing if they are able to get the service to visit www.beta.gov.wales/can-i-get-it

The new measures across Wales, backed by funding of £80m, include a new rollout scheme currently out to tender which encourages rural delivery, business prioritisation and ultrafast 100Mbps service.

In addition, Openreach has been invited to provide details of structures built but not completed, and the Welsh Government will look at how these can be completed under the existing grant agreement.