The Government’s new taxpayer-funded deal will cover the last corner of England and Wales not yet reached by the £5bn drive to expand high-speed broadband. This deal, worth £289m, will enable coverage and access to high-speed downloads, streaming, and video calls.
While some in broadband blackspots rely on Elon Musk’s Starlink Satellite-based Internet connectivity, the latest deal aims to bring gigabit-level fiber coverage to 131,000 homes and businesses in internet desert villages and rural areas. This will allow users to download high-definition movies in about a minute.
The announcement addresses the rural-urban digital divide that has caused frustration for years. Slow internet in rural areas hinders business, limits access to online services, and exacerbates social isolation.
The new contract will install full fiber connections in areas lacking private investment, including Anglesey, south-west Wales, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Devon, Somerset, North Wales, Essex, and the north-east of England.
Public funding will also bring gigabit broadband speeds to blackspots in Scotland and Northern Ireland later this year, as the government aims to make gigabit broadband available across the UK by 2030.
The government has also committed to extending 4G mobile phone coverage to at least 95% of the UK by the end of 2025 to address another connectivity issue.
Kerry Booth, chief executive of the Rural Services Network, emphasized the importance of high-speed internet for business growth, education, and access to services in rural areas, urging that these areas are not left behind as we move towards a more connected future.
Source: www.theguardian.com
