The UK’s broadband infrastructure is improving with millions of homes now able to access rapid download speeds that can beam a full HD movie to TVs in a matter of seconds. This Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) technology, which is replacing older copper lines, is rolling out at pace in towns and cities but now it seems more rural areas – that have been ‘overlooked’ in the past – are also getting this vital boost.
It’s just been confirmed that hundreds of thousands of rural homes and businesses with poor internet connections are to receive a broadband upgrade through the latest round of government investment in internet infrastructure, ministers have said.
Around 312,000 premises in rural areas across Britain will get access to gigabit-capable broadband thanks to an £800 million investment to modernise internet infrastructure as part of the Government’s ongoing Project Gigabit.
The scheme aims to make lightning-fast broadband accessible to the whole of the UK by 2030. Right now, some consumers can only get speeds of around 40Mbps which is simply not fast enough for modern needs.
The latest phase of the programme will include rural areas of Wales for the first time, and involves a deal with telecoms provider Openreach.
For those unaware, Openreach technology is used by some of the biggest UK Internet Service Providers – including BT, Sky and Plusnet – to supply broadband to millions of homes across the country.
Once installed, FTTP services can whizz the web into properties at speeds of around 1,000Mbps that’s well over 10 times faster than the current UK average. With more of us working from home, streaming content to our TVs and downloading games, quicker broadband is becoming evermore vital.
“Over the past decade, the UK’s broadband rollout has clearly not happened fast enough and has overlooked too many areas, especially in Scotland and Wales,” said Technology Secretary Peter Kyle
“Robust digital infrastructure is essential for growth, productivity and competitiveness and this shortfall not only poses risks to our economic stability, but also entrenches existing inequalities across the country.
“We are fixing this by delivering for hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses up and down the country, focusing on the areas that were not prioritised by the previous government, such as Wales.
“Today marks a significant milestone in delivering on our promise to redouble our efforts to achieve full gigabit coverage by 2030 and lay the foundations for a more inclusive, dynamic and prosperous future for all citizens.”
And Clive Selley, CEO of Openreach added: “Research shows that full fibre provides a host of economic, social and environmental benefits – and I believe we’re the best in the business at delivering it.
“I’m confident we can reach as many as 30 million homes by the end of the decade if the conditions remain supportive.”
