Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions she has had with Ofcom on the affordability of broadband and increased network service prices in 2022-23.

Ofcom, the independent regulator, has a statutory duty to monitor the affordability in the telecoms market. My department engages regularly with them on matters relating to the affordability of broadband and other telecoms services.

With regards to network service prices, DCMS engages regularly with Ofcom on matters associated with the wholesale market. Openreach’s prices are regulated by Ofcom as part of its five-year Wholesale Fixed Telecoms Market Review (WFTMR) process, and have been allowed to increase by CPI in order to reflect the significant additional costs faced when deploying new physical infrastructure.

We recognise that this is clearly a difficult time for families up and down the country who are struggling to pay their bills as a result of the global rise in the cost of living.

On 23 January, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport met with Chief Executives from major broadband and mobile providers at which she asked them to consider carefully the need, at this time, for above inflation price increases and highlighted the impact they may have on those already struggling to pay their bills.