Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what formal consultation they have undertaken with councils as part of their Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review to understand the best option for delivering rural connectivity in (1) coastal, (2) largely rural, and (3) mainly rural, areas.

The Government set out its long term national strategy for full fibre connectivity in the Future telecoms Infrastructure review, following a public Call for Evidence, extensive engagement with stakeholders and experts, and evidence from a range of other sources, including external analysis.

The Review committed to an ‘Outside In’ approach to deployment, to support areas which are likely to require additional funding - we expect these to be mostly in rural and remote areas. We are trialling different delivery models in these areas through BDUK’s Superfast Programme and the recently launched Rural Gigabit Connectivity programme and will continue our engagement with Local Authorities throughout the duration of these Programmes.