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<p>According to the independent website ThinkBroadband.com, almost 68% of premises
in the North Shropshire constituency are able to access a gigabit-capable connection,
up from just 3% in December 2019.</p><p> </p><p>To extend this coverage further, last
year we signed a Project Gigabit contract with the supplier Freedom Fibre to deliver
gigabit-capable connectivity to over 12,000 hard-to-reach premises in the North Shropshire
region by the end of 2026, of which approximately 9,000 of these premises are in the
North Shropshire constituency. There will also be further commercial rollout in the
area.</p><p> </p><p>While the majority of premises will be covered by commercial activity
or Project Gigabit, for those parts of the UK where this is not possible, the government
is considering alternative ways to improve connectivity. Last year, government launched
a consultation setting out our proposed policy approach to connecting Very Hard to
Reach (VHTR) UK premises, with a response due to be published later this year. The
response will set out further policy proposals for VHTR areas not already covered
by commercial activity or existing government schemes.</p>
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