Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to address gaps in broadband connectivity in rural areas where properties are beyond effective range of fibre-to-the-cabinet infrastructure and have no confirmed timeline for full fibre rollout.

As of the end of December 2025, over 1.3 million premises in hard-to-reach communities across the UK had been upgraded to gigabit-capable broadband through government-funded programmes.

A further 580,000 premises are currently included in Project Gigabit contracts for gigabit coverage in areas not covered by commercially funded plans.

Building Digital UK (BDUK) is currently refreshing its delivery plans for the remaining premises not included in Project Gigabit in support of the government’s objective of reaching at least 99% of UK premises by 2032.

Our expectation is that some remote premises will remain too expensive to build a gigabit fibre connection to. We are monitoring and supporting market development for alternative solutions, for example through fixed wireless access or satellite broadband connections, including by encouraging spectrum releases and ground station deployments. Many premises in rural areas are already adopting these services.