The UK government has announced contracts worth over £289 million to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to 131,000 homes and businesses in some of the country’s most remote locations. This initiative is part of the government’s Project Gigabit programme, which aims to modernise broadband infrastructure nationwide.

The contracts will focus on regions such as:

  • The Dee Valley, Isle of Anglesey, and Shropshire Hills.
  • Parts of North and Southwest Wales, Herefordshire, Devon, Somerset, Essex, North East England, and Worcestershire.

Project Gigabit: An overview

Project Gigabit is designed to bring high-speed internet to hard-to-reach areas where commercial providers have traditionally faced challenges.

Currently, over 85% of the UK can access gigabit-capable connections, with more than 1 million premises in rural and remote areas already upgraded. The programme’s ultimate goal is full gigabit coverage across the UK by 2030.

Benefits for rural areas

Faster broadband brings numerous advantages, such as improved access to remote healthcare services, online education, and remote working opportunities. Businesses can also benefit from high-speed connections by enhancing their ability to operate and serve customers online.

Openreach CEO Clive Selley highlighted that the expansion of full-fibre broadband could boost UK productivity by £73 billion and deliver significant social benefits.

See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hundreds-of-thousands-of-brits-in-rural-villages-and-towns-to-benefit-from-uk-government-broadband-boost