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Select committee: Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee

Correspondence from the Department for DCMS re Broadband and the road to 5G report, 22 February 2021

Published 5 March 2021

Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee Broadband and the road to 5G Report on parliament.uk ↗

At a glance

The government's response

This document responds to Fourth Report - Broadband and the road to 5G.

This is the government's response, published 5 March 2021.

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government sets out its strategy and targets for gigabit-capable broadband and 5G, agreeing with some recommendations, holding to a technology neutral approach, and in places noting or considering others.

  • On the 85% target, it says the target "is based on extensive engagement with industry". It expects the UK Gigabit Programme to spend "a minimum of £1.2 billion by March 2025" and reach "at least 5 percentage points of the final 20%".
  • It agrees that technologies should be future proof but says it is "strongly committed to a technology neutral approach" because this enables greater innovation.
  • On a formal review of gigabit and 5G targets by end 2022, it will "consider the timing of any formal review, noting the Committee’s recommendation", and is "content to report back" during the next two years and beyond.
  • On wayleave reform, it is consulting on whether further changes to the Electronic Communications Code are needed and will "carefully evaluate all responses". It will publish a procurement pipeline in Spring 2021.

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error

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