Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to offer financial incentives to enable the use of 4G coverage to provide access to broadband in remote rural areas.

Project Gigabit is the Government’s £5 billion mission to deliver fast, reliable broadband across the UK. Over 74% of UK premises can now access a gigabit-capable broadband connection, up from just 6% in January 2019. As part of Project Gigabit, we are targeting a minimum of 85% gigabit-capable coverage by 2025, and then seek to get as close to 100% as possible.

Project Gigabit is technology neutral and therefore can use a Fixed Wireless Access solution, including those based on 4G or 5G, subject to the relevant eligibility criteria and performance requirements being met.

Support is also available for homes and businesses in rural areas through the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme. The scheme provides a subsidy of up to £4,500 for residents and businesses towards the cost of installing gigabit-capable broadband. To date, almost 84,000 vouchers have been used to connect premises to gigabit-capable broadband. Vouchers can be used for projects incorporating a wireless element, subject to them meeting the defined performance criteria.

The broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO) is also technology neutral so BT and KCOM, as the Universal Service Providers, can offer customers who are eligible for the USO a 4G or 5G Fixed Wireless Access solution if one is presently available.