Gigabit Broadband 2021-09-16
2021-09-16
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The question arises from the progress of gigabit broadband roll-out across the country.
What recent progress her Department has made on the roll-out of gigabit broadband. Across the country, gigabit broadband is now at 47%, up from just 10% in November 2019. This Government will leave no stone unturned to get that number as high as possible as quickly as possible.
As the current broadband Minister, I can say that across the country gigabit broadband is now at 47%, up from just 10% in November 2019. This Government will leave no stone unturned to get that number as high as possible as quickly as possible.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The question is prompted by concerns about the competitiveness of gigabit broadband providers, specifically regarding the restrictions placed on residents in newly built estates from seeking competitive quotes.
Residents of Parc Derwen estate in Bridgend constituency and others across the UK have found themselves tied to disagreeable fibre providers and unable to seek competitive quotes due to restrictions. What will my hon. Friend do to ensure a competitive market as we roll out gigabit broadband? FibreNest says it is willing to let other providers use its networks, but this needs to become a reality.
Competition is crucial. FibreNest is willing to let other providers use its networks, and the Government will work with Jamie Wallis and the company to ensure this happens.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific actions or regulations that would enforce competition were not detailed.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Montgomeryshire, a rural constituency, is reliant on the roll-out of Project Gigabit for increased broadband speeds and digital infrastructure.
The roll-out of Project Gigabit is integral to increased broadband speeds and the backbone of fibre network for levelling up ambitions. Does my hon. Friend agree that we need to deliver it at pace? In Wales, digital infrastructure is key to levelling up; positive announcements have been made with the Welsh Government.
The hon. Friend is right that digital infrastructure is crucial for levelling up, especially in Wales; positive announcements have been made with the Welsh Government and more are expected to support this mission.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific timeline or details were provided regarding Project Gigabit delivery in Montgomeryshire.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The question is prompted by the Prime Minister's pledge for full fibre roll-out by 2025, with £5 billion set aside in the 2020 Budget. Only £1.2 billion of that budget is planned to be spent by 2025.
The PM pledged full fibre by 2025 and set aside £5 billion for it in the 2020 Budget, but only £1.2 billion is planned to be spent by 2025. Parliament, businesses, students, economy, and social lives depend on broadband; however, there are broken promises and budget cuts. When will we get affordable broadband? Ofcom reports more than 2 million households find it hard to afford broadband.
This is a £5 billion commitment, but details on how much will be spent by 2025 were not provided.
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Assessment & feedback
Specifics of the £1.2 billion expenditure and timeline for affordable broadband were evaded.
Response accuracy