Launched in 2020 by the Conservative Government, Project Gigabit represents a transformative initiative in the UK’s infrastructure strategy. With an initial investment of £5 billion, its goal is to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to every UK household by 2030. When announced, just 7% of households had access to gigabit speeds. By April 2024, this figure had surged to 81%, showcasing significant progress in fostering economic growth, job creation, education, and social inclusion.
To ensure inclusivity, the Rural Gigabit Connectivity Programme allocated £200 million to improve broadband access in remote and underserved regions. Areas such as Cornwall, Cumbria, Northumberland, and parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales have benefited from this funding, reducing digital exclusion and ensuring no one is left behind in the digital age.
Despite the programme’s successes, the disparity between urban and rural broadband access remains stark. While 81% of urban households enjoy gigabit speeds, only 44% of rural premises have equivalent access. In Farnham and Bordon, broadband speeds are well below the national average. Villages like Tilford, Dippenhall, and Greatham face particular challenges, with many properties unable to exceed 10 Mbps, or in some cases, having no broadband access at all.
For context, the average Londoner enjoys download speeds of 150 Mbps, highlighting the deep digital divide. This divide exacerbates issues of digital exclusion, which affects an estimated 200,000 people in Surrey alone. For many in my constituency, poor connectivity hinders work, education, and access to essential services.
One poignant example is a magistrate in Farnham who, due to broadband speeds as low as 1.5 Mbps, is unable to work remotely. This forces her to endure long commutes to London, placing unnecessary strain on her work-life balance. Such cases underline the urgent need for faster, more reliable broadband in rural and suburban areas.
The introduction of competitive bidding for broadband infrastructure has opened the market, allowing smaller providers like CityFibre to expand into underserved areas. This shift fosters innovation, creating a dynamic market with tailored, affordable packages for local needs.
However, for the hardest-to-reach properties, traditional fibre connections remain economically unviable. Exploring satellite-based internet as a complementary solution could bridge this gap. While the market for satellite broadband is still emerging, it offers hope for those entirely disconnected from the digital world.
The Labour Government has pledged to continue the nationwide rollout of gigabit broadband by 2030. To achieve this, the £5 billion allocated for Project Gigabit must be safeguarded and divided proportionately between urban and rural areas.
A key feature of Project Gigabit is its dual approach, combining commercial investment with subsidised rollouts. Success in high-revenue urban areas directly supports expansion into rural regions. Ensuring private companies have fair access to urban markets is therefore critical to maintaining the programme’s balance and momentum.
Project Gigabit has made substantial strides in improving broadband access across the UK, but significant work remains. The government must prioritise rural areas, ensuring every household, regardless of location, has access to fast, reliable internet.
As we progress further into the digital age, broadband is not just a convenience—it is a necessity for education, healthcare, work, and social inclusion. The success of Project Gigabit will ultimately be measured by its ability to bridge the digital divide and create a more connected, equitable society.
Bridging the Digital Divide: The Progress and Challenges of Project Gigabit
