Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to remove regulatory barriers to the rollout of broadband infrastructure in rural areas to accelerate connectivity for the hardest-to-reach communities.

The Government is committed to delivering gigabit coverage to at least 99% of UK premises by 2032 and are delivering connectivity to hard-to-reach communities and rural areas not included in supplier plans through Project Gigabit.

We are working to identify and remove barriers to deployment, including improving access to multi-dwelling units, as well as exploring whether reforms to planning legislation can support deployment for fixed and mobile connectivity.