• Thanks to the Government’s £5 billion Project Gigabit, coverage of gigabit-capable broadband has increased from seven per cent to 70 per cent in three years, with more than 20 million households and businesses now able to tap into rapid and reliable internet.
• New figures show that all regions of the UK will benefit from faster and more reliable broadband – meaning that those living and working in rural areas can enjoy 21st century speeds – making their lives easier and more productive, levelling up every corner of the UK.
• Delivering on better broadband access across the country will ensure no town or village is left behind – accessing the opportunities that digital growth creates.

New figures show that gigabit broadband is now available for 70 per cent of homes and businesses across the UK, thanks to the Government’s £5 billion Project Gigabit, connecting rural towns and villages with lightning-fast broadband speeds.

Henry Smith MP has welcomed the news that 70 per cent of homes and businesses across the south east of England will now have access to rapid and reliable internet.

This represents a meteoric rise since Prime Minister Boris Johnson took office in 2019 when gigabit coverage stood at just 7 per cent. This is demonstrating levelling up in action with a total of nearly 20 million premises connected since 2019, and turbocharged progress by industry towards the Government’s target of 85 per cent coverage by 2025.

In the last five months alone, one million premises have been connected to gigabit networks, a phenomenal achievement given the first million premises took more than eight years to connect.

The rate at which gigabit-capable internet connections are installed has increased threefold, ensuring more homes and businesses do not have to wait to have access to the internet speeds they need.

Henry said;

“Lightning-fast broadband is vital to levelling up towns and villages across the country, but for too long hard-to-reach areas in the south east of England have suffered from slow internet speeds.

“That’s why I’m delighted that the Government’s £5 billion Project Gigabit is making progress across the UK, with 20 million premises connected since 2019 and some 70 per cent of premises across south east England will benefit.

“This progress means businesses and organisations can tap into rapid and reliable internet, unleashing their potential, creating opportunities and driving growth across the country.”

The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, Nadine Dorries, commented;

“Today we enter an exciting new phase of our £5 billion Project Gigabit digital connectivity programme by signing our first major contract in Dorset.

“Thousands of hard-to-reach homes and businesses in the region will get access to faster connections and join the 20 million properties we’ve helped connect over the last three years.

“The benefits of better broadband connectivity cannot be underestimated and this work will mean those living in rural areas can enjoy 21st century speeds in the home and workplace, making their lives easier and more productive.”