Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what plans her Department has to (a) provide funding to help improve broadband provision for very hard-to-reach premises and (b) ensure that the Universal Service Obligation supports connectivity to rural communities.

Through Project Gigabit, we are delivering gigabit‑capable broadband to premises that are not included in suppliers’ commercial rollout plans, many of which are in rural areas.

Government is committed to delivering gigabit coverage to 99% of UK premises by 2032 and will continue to consider what it can do to further enable alternatives to fibre connections, for premises located in very hard-to-reach areas.

The market for ultrafast, alternative connections via technologies such as LEO satellite and 5G fixed wireless access is developing at pace. Government continues to monitor and support the development of this market, including encouraging spectrum releases and ground station deployments, and many remote premises are already adopting these services.

Government recognises the need to keep the parameters of the Broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO) under review to support connectivity in rural communities. We have hit the legislated trigger point to review the Broadband USO and are working with Ofcom to commence a review in due course.