Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Broadband Speeds: Urban Areas

Thursday 26 January 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Michael Fabricant inquired about steps to increase broadband speeds in urban areas.
  • The Minister highlighted that more than 80 providers are investing nearly 35 billion in gigabit broadband rollout.
  • Coverage in London and Birmingham is at 83% and 93% respectively, but challenges remain in some urban pockets.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Michael Fabricant Con
Transport Science & Technology
Context

The MP is concerned about broadband coverage and speed issues persisting in some urban areas despite overall progress.

Question

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areas is progressing, but there are pockets in urban areas like Westminster and central Birmingham where Openreach uses outdated copper twisted-pair technology unable to support high-speed internet.

Answer from Michelle Donelan

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps to address outdated technology and infrastructure upgrades in urban pockets were not detailed.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Michael Fabricant Con
Science & Technology
Context

There are concerns about the use of old copper twisted-pair technology by Openreach in certain urban areas, which hinders broadband speed improvement.

Question

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?

Answer from Michelle Donelan

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures encouraging Openreach to upgrade technology were not detailed.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)