Broadband

(asked on 4th September 2017) - View Source

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what progress her Department has made on the provision of fibre optic broadband for exchange-only telephone lines.


Answered by
Matt Hancock Portrait
Matt Hancock
This question was answered on 14th September 2017

We are determined to ensure even better digital connectivity right across the UK. We are focused on improving, and future-proofing, the country's digital infrastructure, with a particular focus on full fibre connectivity.

We have previously announced a package of measures worth £1.1 billion at Autumn Statement 2016 to support this:

  • The Digital Infrastructure Investment Fund, which was launched on 3 July 2017 will provide finance for new fibre investments.
  • The Local Full Fibre Networks programme, which will support local bodies in stimulating the market for fibre connectivity in their areas.
  • A Bill to enable business rates relief for new fibre build.

Together, these investments and incentives will stimulate the market to deliver the increase in capacity that is needed.

For those that do not see improved connectivity through publicly funded and commercial investment, we will ensure universal broadband coverage of at least 10Mbps, so that no home or business is left behind.

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