Internet Connectivity 2024-05-22
2024-05-22
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP noted that internet access is crucial for economic and social development. She referenced the government's commitment to improving broadband coverage.
What recent steps have been taken by her Department to improve internet connectivity?
More than 82% of UK premises can now access gigabit-capable broadband, up from just 6% in January 2019. The National Infrastructure Commission reported we are on track to meet our target of 85% gigabit coverage by 2025. Through Project Gigabit, 31 contracts have been signed, with another this week, to bring fast, reliable connectivity to hard-to-reach communities across the UK. Investment in fixed networks increased by 40% from 2019 to 2022.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP expressed concern about a digital divide being created where certain communities are upgraded faster than others.
Does the Minister agree that we need to ensure we do not create a new digital divide? This is causing a lot of concern in my constituency, where a continuing digital divide is being created.
Making sure we do not have a digital divide is at the heart of Project Gigabit. By the time the programme ends, 99% of premises in our country will have gigabit-capable coverage, but during roll-out some will get that coverage sooner than others. We just had a new contract signed for Yorkshire which covers 3,400 premises.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not fully address how to prevent the digital divide in communities between commercial roll-outs and Project Gigabit
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP welcomed the Government's gigabit project but expressed concern over its slow pace.
In rural areas such as Broadland and Fakenham, fast internet connections are just as important. I welcome the Government's gigabit project. In Norfolk, it is rolling out 62,000 new connections and unlocking another 45,000 from the commercial sector. Why is it taking so long and how can we accelerate the project?
We are rolling out gigabit networks faster than any EU country. The east of England has particular connectivity challenges, which is why four contracts are being rolled out across that part of the country. As my hon. Friend said, there are 62,000 premises in Norfolk, 8,000 of which will be in his constituency.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not fully address how to accelerate the project's rollout in rural areas.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP noted her constituency's progress but sought more information on addressing the shortfall in coverage.
My constituency has seen an increase from 3% gigabit-capable broadband access to 54% as of March. What can my hon. Friend do to address the shortfall in coverage in the hardest-to-reach areas, and to expedite those awaiting a type C procurement contract?
My hon. Friend has probably been one of the strongest and toughest broadband champions in this House. I think of her and my hon. Friend the Member for Banff and Buchan always when I have meetings with Building Digital UK. Let me reassure her that we are making very good progress on type C. We have named a preferred supplier for that contract, and hope to have more news soon.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not fully address how to expedite those awaiting a type C procurement contract.
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP expressed concern about broadband poles being put up in her constituency.
Hull already has high superfast broadband. What can the Minister do to force companies to share their infrastructure and stop the blight of ever-increasing numbers of poles appearing up and down our streets?
I have met the hon. Lady about this issue, and I have made representations to KCOM and Connexin. Productive talks are under way between them, overseen by Ofcom. We hope that a lot more progress will be made, and that network roll-outs will be paused when there seems to be overbuild.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not fully address how the Minister can force companies to share infrastructure.
Response accuracy
Q6
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP noted that access to the internet through libraries and schools is a key tool for employment and betterment in her constituency.
In Wellingborough and Rushden, what is the Department doing to ensure that low-income households have access to digital services?
We have encouraged social tariffs rolled out by a large number of operators. Constituents of hers who are on benefits will be able to access those. They cost from £10 a month, bringing cheap connectivity to everybody.
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Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP noted that internet connectivity is essential for rural businesses, especially during tourism season.
What message does the Minister have for businesses that will struggle to keep going this summer with no internet connection or poor broadband speeds?
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question, but that is not a true representation of what the NAO said about the shared rural network. We are making very good progress and hope soon to be able to share coverage maps showing the progress made. On the roll-out of gigabit, he may be interested to know that the Welsh Government made representations to us about bringing it in-house because we were making much better progress in England than they were in Wales.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not address his concerns about internet reliability for rural businesses this summer.
Changed Subject
Response accuracy