The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has announced that one million premises have now benefitted from gigabit broadband, as part of the government’s digital transformation mission.
With public buildings, homes, and businesses around the country now reaping the benefits of faster broadband, employment opportunities are now being created in rural communities, whilst also helping to grow the rural economy. Government data has now shown that 1,006,800 homes have been connected to gigabit broadband, with these including schools, libraries, hospitals, police stations, council offices and other public buildings.
By upgrading the broadband that 5,300 public buildings have access to, productivity has been boosted, whilst also creating improved experiences for the people who are using public services.
Michelle Donelan, Technology Secretary, said:
“Achieving a million gigabit-ready premises shows our plan to turbocharge British broadband is working. Thanks to our investment, rural communities held back by achingly slow internet can now tap into the best speeds on the market.
“The UK is rolling out gigabit networks faster than any country in the EU, with 8 in 10 premises now able to access upgrades. It is a track record that shows we are rapidly building the infrastructure Britain needs to improve lives and grow the economy.”
The majority of the premises that benefit from the upgraded broadband can be found in remote areas of the UK, across all four nations. England has seen the most premises benefitting from upgrades with 700,000, whilst 108,800 premises in Wales have seen improvements. Scotland’s 68,800 premises come in as the lowest number, just behind the 118,900 that are benefitting in Northern Ireland.
With 80% of the UK now covered by gigabit broadband, the government has emphasised that the nation is now fit for the future, as the project looks to deliver the infrastructure that will be needed in decades to come.
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