Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions she has had with Ofcom on the eligibility of satellite broadband for the universal service obligation scheme.

There have been no recent discussions with Ofcom on the eligibility of satellite broadband for the Broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO).

The USO remains technology agnostic and any connectivity solution that can meet the minimum parameters, including required speeds and the current cost per month threshold of £56.20, can be used both to determine eligibility and to deliver a connection.

Currently Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite technology is unlikely to meet the needed requirements however, last year, DSIT published a consultation to review the USO and ensure it remains up to date. The government response will be published later this year.