The UK Government has unveiled a substantial investment plan to modernize broadband infrastructure in rural areas across England, Scotland, and Wales. Up to GBP 800 million will be allocated to provide gigabit broadband access to approximately 312,000 homes and businesses, marking a significant advancement in the rollout of high-speed internet nationwide.
For the first time, Wales, the region with the lowest gigabit coverage, will be included in this initiative. Areas such as the South Wales Valleys, Exmoor National Park, and the Forest of Bowland will benefit from the fastest internet speeds, helping drive economic growth and enhance productivity in these remote locations.
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Aligning with Project Gigabit
This partnership with telecom provider, Openreach, represents a key milestone in the government’s ambitious Project Gigabit. The project focuses on extending high-speed internet to areas that are otherwise too costly for providers to reach alone, ensuring that no part of the country is left behind in the digital age.
Further discussions are underway with Openreach to secure additional contracts that could bring gigabit broadband to an estimated 215,800 more premises across Great Britain. Regions expected to benefit from these future expansions include Central and North Scotland, North and Southwest Wales, Mid and South Devon, East and South Shropshire, North Herefordshire, North Somerset, Essex, Northeast England, and Worcestershire.
Chris Bryant, Minister for Digital Infrastructure, emphasized the importance of this investment, stating, “Too many rural residents and businesses are still dealing with outdated internet infrastructure, making everyday tasks more challenging than for those in towns and cities. Achieving sustained economic growth starts with providing our communities with the necessary infrastructure to thrive. This monumental deal with Openreach will make a real difference, from staying connected with loved ones to enabling business operations, regardless of location.”
Related: BT Secures Millions for ‘Project Gigabit’
Full Fiber for ESG
Clive Selley, CEO of Openreach, expressed his confidence in the project, noting, “Full fiber broadband delivers significant economic, social, and environmental benefits, and I believe we’re the best at delivering it. We’re proud to have been chosen through a fiercely competitive process, and we’re already getting to work. Our network already covers over 15 million urban and rural premises, and wherever we expand, we offer customers a wide range of providers. We can reach 30 million homes by the decade’s end, provided conditions remain favorable.”
Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, highlighted the urgency of this initiative, pointing out that the broadband rollout in the UK has been too slow over the past decade, particularly in Scotland and Wales. “Strong digital infrastructure is crucial for growth, productivity, and competitiveness,” Kyle stated. “This shortfall threatens our economic stability and exacerbates existing inequalities across the country. We are addressing this by delivering gigabit broadband to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses, focusing on previously overlooked areas. Today’s announcement marks a major step in our commitment to achieve full gigabit coverage by 2030, laying the groundwork for a more inclusive, dynamic, and prosperous future for all citizens.”
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