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<p>Full fibre coverage has doubled in the past year to 3 million premises or 10% of
the country, according to the latest Ofcom figures. The Government is taking numerous
steps to make it easier and cheaper for the private sector to deploy more gigabit
capable broadband, for example, through the recently introduced Telecommunications
Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Bill. This legislation supports telecoms operators
to gain access to blocks of flats where a landlord repeatedly fails to respond to
access notices and a resident is seeking a new service.</p><p> </p><p>The precise
timescales for the deployment of gigabit broadband in Bolton are primarily a matter
for the commercial sector, as we believe that promoting commercial investment and
network competition is the best way to deliver gigabit broadband at pace. However,
this Government is also committed to subsidising deployment in harder to reach areas
of the country with £5 billion of public funding, and are working up this programme
at the moment. This intervention will ensure that no part of the country, including
Bolton, is left behind in terms of broadband connectivity.</p><p> </p>
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