Rural homes and businesses across Britain are set to receive a broadband boost through new government investment. Around 312,000 premises will get access to gigabit-capable broadband, with Wales benefitting for the first time. The UK government said mid and south-east Wales would benefit at first, whilst north and south-west Wales were "expected to benefit" from future contracts Project Gigiabit aims to make lightning-fast broadband accessible to the whole of the UK by 2030.
We want to power up all regions of Britain with faster broadband ⚡ Our £800m new deal with @WeAreOpenreach will improve connectivity for around 312,000 rural homes across the UK – including Wales. This will grow the economy, enable remote working & attract new businesses. pic.
twitter.com/CKkTVyJe0Q — Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (@SciTechgovuk) August 13, 2024 The latest phase of the programme will also involve a deal with telecoms provider Openreach, BBC News reports . Contracts worth £288 million have already been signed for the firm to connect nearly 97,000 homes and businesses in England and Wales.
Meanwhile, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) said talks were under way to agree further contracts to connect more premises across England, Scotland and Wales. Rollout has 'clearly not happened fast enough' Technology Secretary Peter Kyle expressed how the broadband scheme had "overlooked too many areas, especially in Scotland and Wales" and that it had.