Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Rural Connectivity

Wednesday 22 May 2024 · 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 2 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Project Gigabit has signed 31 contracts to provide broadband to 780,000 rural homes and businesses.
  • Gigabit-capable connections are being installed in Barrow and Furness through investment in Cumbria.
  • The Minister acknowledged the role of Simon Fell as rural connectivity champion.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Simon Fell
Energy Business & Trade Environment
Context

The question arises from the need to improve internet connectivity in rural areas which is a significant issue for many constituents and businesses.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to improve rural connectivity. Through Project Gigabit, we have signed 31 contracts to bring lightning-fast broadband to a further 780,000 rural homes and businesses across our country. Gigabit-capable connections are already being made in Barrow and Furness through our investment in Cumbria, and the shared rural network has already delivered substantial improvements in mobile coverage.

Answer from Julia Lopez

Through Project Gigabit, we have signed 31 contracts to bring lightning-fast broadband to a further 780,000 rural homes and businesses across our country. Gigabit-capable connections are already being made in Barrow and Furness through our investment in Cumbria, and the shared rural network has already delivered substantial improvements in mobile coverage.

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Q2 Simon Fell
Science & Technology Business & Trade Environment
Context

The question builds on the initial query about rural connectivity and focuses specifically on the technology used for these solutions, referencing healthy competition among companies like Fibrus and Voneus.

Question

I thank the Minister for her answer. I am delighted to see that Project Gigabit is delivering for Barrow and Furness: we have Fibrus delivering to the procured areas and companies such as Voneus now delivering to Walney, and there is healthy competition. What consideration has she given to rolling out truly technology-agnostic solutions to make the final mile better connected?

Answer from Julia Lopez

I thank my hon. Friend for his role as rural connectivity champion; I discussed that role yesterday with the Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Keighley (Robbie Moore). I am pleased to see that he recently attended a visit to see how the supplier Voneus is investing in a wider solution for premises on Walney island. I assure him that we already take a technology-agnostic approach to our contracts, with some suppliers using wireless connectivity and exploring fixed wireless access and low Earth orbit satellites.

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