The UK government has announced contracts worth over £289 million to provide gigabit-capable broadband to 131,000 homes and businesses in some of the country’s most remote locations. The initiative is part of the government’s Project Gigabit program, which aims to modernise broadband infrastructure across the country.
The contracts will focus on regions such as the Dee Valley, Isle of Anglesey, and Shropshire Hills, as well as parts of North and Southwest Wales, Herefordshire, Devon, Somerset, Essex, North East England, and Worcestershire.
Project Gigabit: An overview
Project Gigabit seeks to bring high-speed internet to hard-to-reach areas, where commercial providers have traditionally found it challenging to operate.
As of now, over 85% of the UK can access gigabit-capable connections, and more than 1 million premises in rural and remote areas already have access to upgrades. The ultimate goal is full gigabit coverage across the UK by 2030.
Benefits for rural areas
There are many advantages to faster broadband, including improved access to remote healthcare services, online education, and remote working opportunities. High-speed connections can also benefit businesses by enhancing their ability to operate and serve customers online.
Openreach CEO Clive Selley noted that the expansion of full-fibre broadband could boost UK productivity by £73 billion and bring significant social benefits.