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<p>The government is committing to delivering nationwide gigabit capable connectivity
as soon as possible. Much progress has already been made, and this government will
continue to take action to remove barriers to network rollout and to ensure that those
in the hardest to reach areas are not left behind.</p><p>The government set out a
clear policy direction for the UK’s digital infrastructure in last year’s Future Telecoms
Infrastructure Review. Since then the government has:</p><p><br> - Issued the first
Statement of Strategic Priorities for Ofcom, which provides the regulator with context
and guidance about Government’s policy priorities and desired outcomes in the communications
markets, including the need for stable and long term regulation that incentivises
investment and ensure competition for gigabit capable networks.</p><p>- Consulted
on improving access for network builders to tenanted properties and new builds.</p><p>-
Invested public funding in the deployment of gigabit capable broadband in the less
commercial areas of the country. For example, the Government has launched the £200
million Rural Gigabit Connectivity programme as the first stage in our outside-in
programme to rollout gigabit broadband to the most rural and remote areas of the country,
and the existing superfast broadband programme has pivoted towards full fibre provision.</p><p>The
government has plans to build further on this work, including plans to introduce legislation
on easier access to tenanted properties and ensuring new builds have gigabit connectivity.</p><p>Specifically
in Hampshire, CityFibre and Toob have both announced plans to invest in full fibre
networks whilst Virgin Media have announced that Southampton will be the first city
they will upgrade to gigabit capable connectivity. Government is also supporting deployment
in Hampshire with projects in Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight through the Local Full
Fibre Networks programme, having already passed over 7,000 premises in Hampshire with
full fibre through the Superfast Programme.</p>
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