Voneus Shuts Down Fixed Wireless for 45 Pembrokeshire Homes
45 homes in Pembrokeshire are losing their fixed wireless broadband service from Voneus, a rural internet provider. The company notified affected customers that the service will be terminated on April 13th.
“We received a letter out of the blue saying our internet would be shut off in a month,” said Rhys Evans, a longtime Voneus customer in Haverfordwest. “It’s a real blow, especially with so many of us working from home these days.”
Company Cites High Costs, Low Demand
In the letter, Voneus stated that delivering the service has become too costly due to low population density and rugged terrain in the area. They also mentioned that demand has dwindled as other broadband options like Starlink have become available.
“While we understand the impact this has on our loyal customers, continuing the service is simply unsustainable from a business perspective,” wrote James Pearce, Voneus CEO. The company has around 50 fixed wireless sites across the UK serving approximately 3,000 homes.
Customers Scramble for Alternatives
News of the shutdown has left affected residents scrambling to find replacement broadband providers. Options are limited in this rural corner of southwest Wales.
“I’ve called every provider I can find, but most don’t offer service here or have long wait lists,” said Carys Thomas, who runs an online crafts business from her home in Roch. “Without reliable internet, I may have to shut down my shop.”
Others are considering Starlink, but the high upfront cost of £460 for the dish and £90 per month thereafter is giving many pause. “I can’t afford to lay out that kind of money all at once,” said Ifan Rees, a retired teacher in Croesgoch.
Criticism of Voneus Decision
Some are criticizing Voneus for leaving vulnerable customers in the lurch with little notice. “They’ve pulled the rug out from people who depend on their connection and have no good alternatives,” said Pembrokeshire Council member Dai Lloyd. “It’s wrong to abandon these communities.”
In response, Voneus said it is “committed to supporting our customers through the transition” and is waiving early termination fees for those under contract. But residents say this doesn’t make up for the hardship of losing broadband access.
A Wider Problem for Rural Areas
The situation highlights the ongoing challenges of delivering high-speed internet to sparsely populated rural regions. While government initiatives have boosted coverage, an estimated 134,000 properties in the UK still lack access to decent broadband.
“The economics often don’t stack up for providers to invest in the infrastructure needed to serve these areas,” said Emma Hughes, a telecom analyst at Ovum. “Without more government support or creative solutions from industry, this digital divide will likely persist.”
For now, the 45 affected homes in Pembrokeshire must grapple with the impending loss of their Voneus connection and an uncertain path forward. As the April 13th shutoff date looms, the search for alternatives continues.
