Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 19
19
The government’s decision in July 2020 to reduce its dependency on technology originating from certain...
Conclusion
The government’s decision in July 2020 to reduce its dependency on technology originating from certain high-risk vendors could introduce delays and additional expense to nationwide roll-out.61 The Department estimated that the removal of high-risk vendors’ 52 DRB0004 DCMS recall (Broadband), Internet Service Providers’ Association, 4 November, p. 2 and DRB0009 DCMS recall (Broadband), The Independent Networks Co-operative Association, 4 November, p. 4 53 DRB0005 DCMS recall (Broadband), Hertfordshire County Council, 4 November, p, 1,3 and DRB0011 DCMS recall (Broadband), Octopus Group, 4 November, para 4.6 54 Guidance on access agreements – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 55 DRB0009 DCMS recall (Broadband), The Independent Networks Co-operative Association, 4 November, p. 4 56 Q 51, DRB0007 DCMS recall (Broadband), Openreach, November 4, para 23 57 Q 42 58 Qq 43–45 59 Qq 46–49 60 Letter from Sarah Healey to PAC Chair Dame Meg Hillier Re: Improving Broadband, 23 November 2021 61 C&AG’s Report, para 15 Delivering gigabit-capable broadband 15 equipment from the network will have caused a delay in the full fibre roll-out of up to a year, and for 5G by two to three years.62 The Department told us that EE and BT have announced they are going to get 5G coverage to 90% of the population by 2028. However, the Department told us that it remained confident it will achieve its target of 85% gigabit- capable coverage by 2025, because of the pace at which commercial suppliers were working.63 62 Q63 63 Q64, 65–66 16 Delivering gigabit-capable broadband 3 Addressing digital inequality Connecting rural areas – the ‘Outside-In approach’
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
6.2 BDUK will publish its profile to reach at least 5% of non-commercial premises by the end of 2025 in its 2022-23 corporate plan. As well as achieving the 85% target, the contracts that BDUK is currently procuring are also the route by which the government’s nationwide coverage objective is achieved. Quarterly updates on BDUK’s pipeline of Gigabit Infrastructure Subsidy contracts, including premises numbers and indicative values, will continue to be published. 6.3 UK gigabit coverage beyond the 85% target would need to increase at an annualised 900,000 premises per year (subsidised and privately built) to achieve nationwide coverage by 2030. To build a credible and evidence-based profile for delivery beyond 2025 in the UK’s dynamic market, the department will need to reach three key milestones: • completion of all remaining market surveys to identify and understand the relevant suppliers’ build plans, including where commercial plans will mean that premises can be descoped from its contracts; • signing a material number of contracts to provide evidence on supplier interest in BDUK’s subsidies and the pace at which they’re committed to deliver their implementation plans; and • achieving sufficient clarity on the number of premises likely to be beyond the scope of the programme. 6.4 BDUK expects these actions to have been completed in order to be ready to form more robust profiles for the period beyond 2025 by Summer 2023. While this work is in progress, BDUK will provide information on the outcome of its procurements when they are signed, sharing the expected delivery plans up to 2025 and beyond for each contracted area. 6.5 In March 2021, a call for evidence was made to explore all possible options for improving broadband connectivity for these Very Hard to Reach premises. The government published its response in February 2022 bringing together its analysis and evidence from stakeholders. 6.6 This evidence will be used to assess policy options to understand how best to address the small minority of premises that will be beyond the scope of the programme and unable to access gigabit-capable connections. The department will publish further details later this year. 6.7 As part of its assessment process, the department will consider all available solutions and technology types. As equipment improves and technology standards are updated, it will continue to engage with stakeholders to understand how these technologies can best address Very Hard to Reach premises. 6.8 The department will address this recommendation in its letter to the Committee.