Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 26
26
At our last evidence session in November 2020, the Department told us that it was...
Conclusion
At our last evidence session in November 2020, the Department told us that it was assessing the value for money of alternative technologies for delivering the fastest speeds possible to hard-to-reach premises.80 The Department told us that it was looking at what options were available to ensure connectivity in these areas. We heard that it had launched a consultation to identify what kinds of approaches could be used. The Department’s call for evidence focussed on delivering improved broadband to very hard to reach premises closed in June 2021.81 71 Q 37–38 72 DCMS, Project Gigabit Delivery Plan Autumn Update, October 2021, p. 16 73 Q 20, 40 74 Q 40 75 Q 59 76 Q 59 77 Q 19 78 Qq 14, 34, DCMS Call for Evidence: Improving connectivity for Very Hard to Reach premises, p. 2, 19 March 2021 79 Q 13 80 Committee of Public Accounts Committee, Improving Broadband, Thirty-fifth Report of Session 2019–21, HC 688, 8 January 2021 81 Q 13–14, Improving broadband for Very Hard to Reach premises; 19 March 2021 18 Delivering gigabit-capable broadband
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
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.