Dr James Davies MP has welcomed news that 84.8% of homes and businesses in the Vale of Clwyd now have access to Gigabit broadband, thanks to investment from HM Government.
80 per cent of the UK now has access to high-speed internet connectivity as the UK’s next major connectivity milestone is reached, with the Government delivering on its promise to grow the economy whilst making life easier for people through access to faster broadband.
Project Gigabit - a flagship £5 billion programme to enable hard-to-reach communities to access lightning-fast gigabit-capable broadband - was announced by the Government in 2019.
Thanks to the hard work of the telecoms industry and Conservative Government action, gigabit coverage across the UK has increased rapidly in recent years – from one in ten households in 2019 to eight in ten today.
This means the majority of premises can access gigabit-capable networks and is a significant improvement in a short timeframe, with the UK currently building gigabit networks faster than any EU country.
The Conservative Government is working with broadband suppliers and sticking to its long-term plan to achieve at least 85 per cent gigabit coverage of the UK by 2025, and nationwide coverage by 2030.
Commenting, James said:
“It is brilliant news for both households and businesses in the Vale of Clwyd that Gigabit broadband now covers 84.8% of the constituency, thanks to the work of the telecoms industry and Conservative Government action.
"This work will mean that people can enjoy better internet connectivity, making their lives easier and more productive.”
Commenting, Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan said:
“This is another giant leap forward in our mission to bring gigabit connectivity to every part of the UK, with 80 per cent of the country now able to benefit from lightning-fast broadband.
“Access to gigabit speeds does not just mean being able to seamlessly stream films, TV shows, and shop online all at once. It means better productivity for businesses and new opportunities for local communities with digital infrastructure which will help power our economy, create jobs and improve lives for decades to come.”
ENDS
* The Conservative Government announced Project Gigabit in 2019. Project Gigabit is the government’s flagship £5 billion programme to enable hard-to-reach communities to access lightning-fast gigabit-capable broadband (Building Digital UK, Guidance, 16 June 2023, link).
* Thanks to action from the telecoms industry and the Government, 80 per cent of the country now has access to high-speed internet connectivity as the UK’s next major connectivity milestone is reached. Gigabit coverage across the UK has increased rapidly in recent years - from one in ten households in 2019 to eight in ten today (Local Broadband Information, accessed 15 January 2024, link).
* The Government is working with broadband suppliers to achieve at least 85 per cent gigabit coverage of the UK by 2025, and then nationwide coverage by 2030 (House of Commons Library, Gigabit Broadband FAQs, 2 August 2023, link).
* Gigabit broadband represents a connectivity revolution, with download speeds of around 1000mbps allowing people to stream, download, and shop online across several devices at once (House of Commons Library, Gigabit Broadband FAQs, 2 August 2023, link).
