Broadband Speeds Urban Areas 2023-01-26
2023-01-26
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about broadband coverage and speed issues persisting in some urban areas despite overall progress.
What steps she is taking to increase broadband speeds in urban areas; and if she will make a statement. The spread of broadband into rural areas is progressing, but there are pockets in urban areas like Westminster and central Birmingham where Openreach uses outdated copper twisted-pair technology unable to support high-speed internet.
We have made it as attractive as possible to deploy gigabit broadband in the UK by busting barriers and requiring Ofcom to promote competition and investment. There are now more than 80 providers investing nearly £35 billion rolling out gigabit broadband, and coverage has risen to 73% from 6% in early 2019. The vast majority of urban areas will be connected commercially, at no extra cost to the taxpayer, by 2025.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps to address outdated technology and infrastructure upgrades in urban pockets were not detailed.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
There are concerns about the use of old copper twisted-pair technology by Openreach in certain urban areas, which hinders broadband speed improvement.
The spread of broadband into rural areas is going ahead at pace, but there are pockets in urban areas—I think particularly of Westminster and the centre of Birmingham —where Openreach is using very old copper twisted-pair technology, which has been around for more than 100 years and cannot develop the speed. It is up to firms such as G.Network, Hyperoptic, Virgin Media and City Broadband to provide that service, but they do not always provide a telephone service. What can my right hon. Friend do to encourage Openreach to upgrade its technology and infrastructure in urban areas?
London and the west midlands are among the best-connected regions in the country: coverage in London is at 83% and in Birmingham it is even higher at 93%. However, as my hon. Friend points out, there is still more to do. This month we have brought into force new laws that make it easier for telecom companies to get faster broadband into 9 million flats where people are living, and the vast majority of premises in urban areas will be connected by 2025, whether by Openreach or another provider, at no cost to the taxpayer.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific measures encouraging Openreach to upgrade technology were not detailed.
Response accuracy