Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 19 June 2015 to Question 2033, what estimate his Department has made of the number of companies that would be affected by raising the universal service obligation to 5 mbps; and what the names of those companies are.

With Government's support, 95% of the country will have superfast broadband by the end of 2017. We are taking a detailed look at the impact of options to ensure that no one is left behind - including the feasibility of a broadband Universal Service Obligation. If the Government chooses to pursue this option, following public consultation, it will be for Ofcom to designate the provider or providers.