Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the effect on the smart meter rollout in the North of Scotland of Arqiva providing signal coverage to 80 per cent of customers in that area.

As the Data and Communications Company’s communications service provider for the north region (which includes Scotland), Arqiva is contracted to provide Wide Area Network (WAN) coverage of at least 99.5% of GB premises by the end of 2020. This level of coverage compares favourably with other technologies, such as mobile and broadband networks.

Arqiva is on track to deliver its contractual coverage commitments, having already achieved coverage of more than 80% of premises in the north region. Energy suppliers will be made aware of the areas in which WAN is available at any point in time, and can plan their rollout accordingly.