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1545907

registered interest
date	28/11/2022
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Broadband: Standards
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of the Inverness-model for the rapid increased delivery of access to full-fibre broadband within communities.
tabling member constituency	Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey
tabling member printed	Drew Hendry
uin	97678
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/12/2022 answer text <p>Building Digital UK (BDUK) is working with Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Highland Council, with the support of the Scottish Government, to identify where Project Gigabit might support the Inverness and Highland City Region Deal and improve digital connectivity in the region. A Public Review to confirm suppliers’ commercial plans was carried out from 7 October to 14 November 2022 and the results of this review are currently being assessed, alongside engagement with broadband providers, to identify the potential scope of a gigabit broadband procurement in the Inverness area.</p><p>BDUK is also working with the Scottish Government on options for Project Gigabit procurement activity across the rest of Scotland.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 06/12/2022 14:28:57 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	4467 label Biography information for Drew Hendry

1453886

registered interest
date	24/03/2022
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Broadband: Standards
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	What proportion of addresses have access to gigabit-capable broadband connections in (a) Kettering constituency and (b) England.
tabling member constituency	Kettering
tabling member printed	Mr Philip Hollobone
uin	906275
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/03/2022 answer text <p>88 per cent of premises in the Honourable Member’s constituency are able to access gigabit-capable broadband.</p><p>Across the UK as a whole, 66 per cent of premises now have access to gigabit broadband, up from six per cent three years ago. This means Kettering’s connectivity is above the national average and we are on track for gigabit coverage to reach at least 85 per cent of premises by 2025 and we are working to reach near-universal coverage as soon as possible thereafter.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 24/03/2022 14:22:04 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	1537 label Biography information for Mr Philip Hollobone

1419359

registered interest
date	02/02/2022
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Broadband: Standards
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay on 25 January (HL5336), why the "robust plans in place" failed following Storm Arwen, with many areas left for extended periods without broadband services.
tabling member printed	Baroness Randerson
uin	HL5891
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/02/2022 answer text <p>Telecoms equipment is usually highly resilient and major outages are extremely rare. However, most telecoms equipment needs a power supply and this can be disrupted by extreme weather events, such as Storm Arwen.</p><p>While telecoms operators were quick to respond following Storm Arwen, deploying emergency response teams and providing back-up generators (on a prioritised basis) to affected sites, the scale and length of the power outage meant that some sites remained offline until power was restored. This resulted in a delay to the restoration of services for a small number of customers.</p><p>As part of our standard procedure for large incidents, DCMS is working with Ofcom and the telecoms sector to complete a Post-Incident Review on the Storm Arwen response.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay question first answered 14/02/2022 12:24:06 answering member 4728 label Biography information for Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
tabling member	4230 label Biography information for Baroness Randerson

1416630

registered interest
date	25/01/2022
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Broadband: Standards
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to address the disparity in broadband connectivity between urban and rural areas.
tabling member printed	Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
uin	HL5668
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/02/2022 answer text <p>The Government is investing £5 billion through Project Gigabit to support gigabit broadband coverage in areas not covered by commercial roll-out, adding to the 600,000 homes and businesses in hard-to-reach areas already covered by gigabit broadband with our support.</p><p>It is the Government's view that the best way to achieve nationwide gigabit coverage and eliminate the disparity in broadband connectivity between urban and rural areas is by creating a competition-friendly environment in areas where deployment is commercially viable. This will allow public subsidy to focus on the 20% of the country where commercial deployment is unlikely.</p><p>This approach is working. Today, we are on track for the biggest build in UK history. At present, 65% of premises can access a gigabit-capable connection, a huge leap forward from July 2019, when gigabit coverage was just 8%.</p><p>Our procurements are prioritising delivery to rural, hard-to-reach premises and to those with the lowest broadband speeds. To date, we have launched procurements targeting rural parts of Cumbria, County Durham, Northumberland, Dorset, and Cambridgeshire. Further information on the procurement approach and timeframes can be found in our latest <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/project-gigabit-delivery-plan-autumn-update" target="_blank">Project Gigabit Delivery Update</a>.</p><p>As part of Project Gigabit the Government is also investing up to £210 million in the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme to support rural communities with the cost of installing new gigabit-capable connections. The scheme provides a micro-grant of up to £1,500 for residents and up to £3,500 for businesses towards the cost of installing gigabit-capable broadband.</p><p>The scheme enables those communities and businesses in rural areas not in line for commercial rollout, and those that do not want to wait for Project Gigabit procurements, to get more immediate help with the costs of installing a gigabit-capable connection. Further information is available on the <a href="https://gigabitvoucher.culture.gov.uk/" target="_blank">gigabit voucher website</a> including eligibility criteria and how to apply for the scheme.</p> answering member printed Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay question first answered 08/02/2022 17:18:25 answering member 4728 label Biography information for Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
tabling member	3792 label Biography information for Baroness Jones of Whitchurch

1404496

registered interest
date	19/01/2022
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Broadband: Standards
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what proportion of households have access to (a) superfast and (b) gigabit broadband as of 1 January 2022.
tabling member constituency	Manchester Central
tabling member printed	Lucy Powell
uin	107590
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/01/2022 answer text <p>According to the independent website <a href="https://labs.thinkbroadband.com/local/uk" target="_blank">Thinkbroadband</a>, 96.9% of premises (households and business) in the UK have access to superfast broadband (&gt;= 30 Mbps) and 65.6% of premises have access to gigabit-capable broadband.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 24/01/2022 12:08:47 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	4263 label Biography information for Lucy Powell

1365880

registered interest
date	03/11/2021
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Broadband: Standards
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2021 to Question 57186 on Broadband: Standards, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of embedding an official broadband speed standard of measurement in Ofcom’s Broadband Speeds Codes of Practice, to ensure internet service providers deliver a standardised supply to consumers.
tabling member constituency	Linlithgow and East Falkirk
tabling member printed	Martyn Day
uin	69148
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/11/2021 answer text <p>Standards for measuring broadband speeds as a part of the Broadband Speeds Codes of Practice are a matter for Ofcom as the independent regulator for the sector.</p><p>In November 2020, significant changes to Ofcom’s Broadband Speeds Codes of Practice came into effect which require providers who have signed up to provide customers with ‘live sync speeds’. This means people and businesses should receive more accurate information about the capabilities of their individual lines before they enter their contract.</p><p>In addition, Ofcom is conducting a review of the codes and aims to publish its findings by the end of the year. This will include an assessment of how well Ofcom believes the current code of practice is working.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 08/11/2021 12:17:01 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	4488 label Biography information for Martyn Day

1361994

registered interest
date	20/10/2021
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Broadband: Standards
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to Ofcom's report entitled UK Home Broadband Performance, published on 9 September 2021, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the finding that average peak-time download speeds in urban areas were a third higher than those in rural areas in March 2021.
tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
uin	59786
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/10/2021 answer text <p>The government is committed to delivering nationwide gigabit connectivity as soon as possible. Over half of premises across the UK can now access gigabit-capable networks, up from just one in ten in November 2019. We are also investing £5 billion in Project Gigabit so that hard-to-reach and rural communities are not left behind. In addition, nationwide superfast broadband coverage now stands at 97%, meaning the vast majority of the UK has access to speeds of 30Mbps or higher.</p><p>Furthermore, for communities not in line for either commercial or government-funded plans, we are providing more immediate support through the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme and are investing up to £110 million to upgrade rural public buildings.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 25/10/2021 15:53:48 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

1359813

registered interest
date	15/10/2021
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Broadband: Standards
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that broadband providers deliver their advertised (a) service and (b) download speeds to consumers’ homes.
tabling member constituency	Linlithgow and East Falkirk
tabling member printed	Martyn Day
uin	57186
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/10/2021 answer text <p>Ofcom’s <a href="https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/information-for-industry/codes-of-practice" target="_blank">Broadband Speeds Codes of Practice</a> requires that internet service providers (ISPs) provide consumers with information about the service they can expect, including download speeds, prior to purchase. ISPs who have signed up to the Code - and this includes, for example, BT, TalkTalk and Virgin Media - also commit to providing consumers with a minimum guaranteed download and upload speed, allowing them to cancel or leave their contract, without penalty, should the service fall below the agreed standard.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 21/10/2021 12:58:37 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	4488 label Biography information for Martyn Day

1315784

registered interest
date	18/05/2021
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Broadband: Standards
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate he has made of the average internet (a) download and upload speed and (b) monthly cost for households in each region of the UK in the latest period for which figures are available.
tabling member constituency	Hemsworth
tabling member printed	Jon Trickett
uin	2886
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/05/2021 answer text <p>Superfast broadband coverage is now available to over 97% of the UK, and Think Broadband reports that gigabit-capable networks now serve more than two in five (40%) premises in the UK.</p><p>Earlier this month, Ofcom published its UK Home Broadband Performance research which showed that the average download speed in the UK was 80.2 Mbps. This is an increase of 25% from 2019. The same report highlighted upload speeds of 21.6 Mbps which is equal to a 54% increase over the same period. Upload and download speeds will vary based on the type of connectivity installed within a property and the consumer’s individual retail package.</p><p>Ofcom published as part of its Connected Nations report in June 2020 the average speeds for each Nation. This showed the average download speeds as:</p><ul><li><p>England: 74 Mbps</p></li><li><p>Wales: 58 Mbps</p></li><li><p>Scotland: 70Mbps</p></li><li><p>Northern Ireland: 64 Mbps</p></li></ul><p>Regional data is produced on a quarterly basis by the website ThinkBroadband, and can be accessed at the following address: <a href="https://labs2.thinkbroadband.com/local/browse" target="_blank">https://labs2.thinkbroadband.com/local/browse</a>. Average speeds have been increasing each quarter as more premises have access to gigabit-capable broadband networks.</p><p>Different packages offered by suppliers may offer greater speeds, data allowances or other benefits, so it is difficult to assess the average cost. For example a number of broadband packages may include Pay TV subscriptions and other additional add-ons. However, to ensure decent broadband is affordable to everyone, a number of operators have brought in new nationwide affordable tariffs starting at £15 per month. For example, BT and Hyperoptic provide fibre social tariff products for households in receipt of Universal Credit and other means-tested benefits offering download speeds ranging from 40Mbps, up to 150Mbps.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Boston and Skegness answering member printed Matt Warman question first answered 26/05/2021 16:27:39 answering member 4361 label Biography information for Matt Warman
tabling member	410 label Biography information for Jon Trickett

1236585

registered interest
date	22/09/2020
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Broadband: Standards
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the minimum levels of connectivity required for assistance under the universal service obligation.
tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne North
tabling member printed	Catherine McKinnell
uin	93588
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/09/2020 answer text <p>The speed and technical requirements of the Universal Service Obligation (USO) were set on the basis of advice from Ofcom that they would meet broadband requirements of a typical household, including both voice and video calls, and the government’s consultation on the USO. The USO acts as a digital safety net for households unable to access a broadband service that meets these requirements at present. The government is committed to keeping the USO specification under review in light of consumer’s evolving needs and connectivity usage trends.</p> answering member constituency Boston and Skegness answering member printed Matt Warman question first answered 25/09/2020 16:50:49 answering member 4361 label Biography information for Matt Warman
tabling member	4125 label Biography information for Catherine McKinnell