Firms' anger over broadband link

Increasing broadband speeds are needed for computer based work

Some companies on a Gwynedd industrial park are angry because they say they will be unable to connect to a new £30m fibre optic network in the area.

The Welsh Assembly Government-backed scheme aims to improve high-speed broadband services across north Wales.

In Caernarfon the cable, which is being laid now, will go to the mainly residential Victoria Dock area, nearly two miles from Cibyn industrial estate.

An assembly government spokesperson said a link up may still be possible.

"I do not understand why the decision was taken to take this link to Victoria Dock," said Gwyn Williams, chief executive of television facilities providers Barcud Derwen, which employs 44 people.

Residential area

"What it means is that things will get increasingly difficult as the world becomes more digitalised and more and more work is done online," he said.

One possible way around the problem might be a micro-wave link between the Victoria Dock area and Cibyn, but that would present further problems, said Mr Williams.

"That would mean planning permission, which I don't suppose would be a problem at Cibyn, but I'm not sure about getting permission in the mainly residential Victoria Dock area," he added.

Light entertainment television company Antena is also based at Cibyn.

Fibrespeed locations in Gwynedd Parc Menai, Bangor Parc Bryn Cegin, Bangor Victoria Dock, Caernarfon Source WAG

"We are desperate for something like this to provide high speed access," said Antena managing director Mike Griffiths.

Mr Griffiths said the lack of fast broadband was already having an effect on the company as the website for the popular Welsh-language children's television programme Uned 5 had to be based in London.

"As it is at the moment if the website was based in Caernarfon, and more than four or five people tried to access video at the same time, then that would kill it," he said.

A spokesman for the assembly government said the decision to put the cable in to Victoria Dock was taken in January 2005.

He added that the Assembly was aware that Barcud Derwen was unhappy with the decision.

"Our contractor has already met with Barcud Derwen to establish what the options may be for connecting them to Fibrespeed," he said.