Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 8
8
In changing its target, it has also made changes to the type of technology it...
Conclusion
In changing its target, it has also made changes to the type of technology it plans to use to achieve gigabit broadband rollout.19 In 2019, the Department revised its target from full fibre to “gigabit-capable” broadband. Some stakeholders considered this to be a watering down of the target because they view fibre as a superior technology.20 This is because the telecoms industry generally regards full fibre as the best available technology as it is able to provide consistent gigabit speeds and is largely unaffected by rain and flooding. The industry also regards full fibre as using less energy than other forms of connectivity, costing less to maintain, and with no long-term foreseeable capacity constraints.21 Virgin 12 Project Gigabit Phase One Delivery Plan (publishing.service.gov.uk) 13 National Infrastructure Strategy – Fairer, faster, greener – November 2020, page 31 14 Committee of Public Accounts Committee, Improving Broadband, Thirty-fifth Report of Session 2019–21, HC 688, 8 January 2021 15 Letter from Sarah Healey to PAC Chair Dame Meg Hillier R: Broadband Report, 22 October 2021 16 Committee of Public Accounts Committee, Improving Broadband, Thirty-fifth Report of Session 2019–21, HC 688, 8 January 2021 17 Government response on the Thirty-Fifth report from the Committee of Public Accounts, Improving Broadband, Session 2019–21 CP 409, March 2021, para 1.4 18 Correspondence from Sarah Healey, Permanent Secretary, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, re broadband report, dated 22 October 2021 19 Q 28 20 C&AG’s Report, para 3.16 21 National Infrastructure Assessment Report, July 2018, page 21 Delivering gigabit-capable broadband 11 Media O2, which is currently upgrading its cable network to gigabit-capable connections, has announced plans to futureproof this by replacing its entire network with full fibre by 2028.22 Gigabit coverage in the UK – Progress to date
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
2.2 The UK has one of the fastest builds in Europe, becoming a leader in terms of gigabit connectivity by 2025. The department has achieved this by setting clear, ambitious targets to galvanise operators and investors, together with a regulatory environment that stimulates competition and investment in the market. 2.3 There are now over 80 different companies rolling out gigabit broadband. The UK is on track to achieve coverage to 85% of the UK’s 31 million premises by 2025. 2.4 As of March 2022, gigabit capable networks are available to 66% of UK premises, including full fibre networks to 32% of UK premises, according to ThinkBroadband.com, up from just 6% at the beginning of 2019. • Virgin Media O2 has upgraded and extended its network, offering gigabit speeds to over 50% of the UK. Industry sources suggest at least 10% of these are served by full fibre. The 3 company has announced an upgrade path to convert the remainder to full fibre, and is seeking joint venture partners to extend to a further 7 million premises; • Openreach - and KCom in Kingston upon Hull - have built new full fibre networks to 21% of UK premises; and • a further 11% of UK premises are able to receive gigabit services over an alternative network provider’s full fibre networks.