Recommendation 5

The Department’s approach to rolling out gigabit risks perpetuating digital inequality across the UK. The Department contends that it is taking an “Outside- In” approach to gigabit infrastructure procurement. As part of this approach, the Department identifies areas which it does not expect it to be viable for commercial providers to operate in. It then commissions internet infrastructure connecting these areas in parallel with work being undertaken by commercial providers. This is designed to ensure that no areas are systematically left behind. However, the Department is unable to demonstrate that it is still following its “Outside- In” approach. In addition, the Department’s one-size-fits-all approach to what it considers urban areas, especially in London and the West Midlands, does not take into account the very different needs within those areas. Those areas that currently have sub-superfast broadband speeds are more likely to be in the 20% of premises that the Department thinks will be unviable for commercial providers. Rural areas, such as the Cotswolds in England, and areas of economic deprivation that were previously provided with government support to deliver superfast broadband, such as Blaenau Gwent in Wales, have some of the lowest levels of gigabit coverage. If the 2025 target is going to be met it is essential that rural and remote areas, especially those who currently lack superfast broadband, receive significantly increased investment on the basis that the commercial sector will unlikely be able fill the gap. 8 Delivering gigabit-capable broadband Recommendation: The Department should, from the start of April 2022, publish statistics every 3 months showing its regional and national breakdown of progress against its gigabit coverage target.