UK Invests £289M to Expand Rural Broadband Access

The funding will bring gigabit-capable internet to 131,000 hard-to-reach homes and businesses as part of Project Gigabit's nationwide rollout.

The UK government has awarded £289 million in contracts to Openreach to expand high-speed broadband to rural areas in England and Wales.
This initiative will provide gigabit-level internet to 131,000 homes and businesses in regions like North Wales, Southwest Wales, Shropshire, Devon, and Essex.
Project Gigabit aims to achieve nationwide gigabit broadband coverage by 2030, with over 85% of the UK already connected to gigabit-capable infrastructure.
The improved connectivity is expected to enhance remote healthcare, online education, business opportunities, and reduce social isolation in rural communities.
Critics highlight the need for addressing affordability and digital skills gaps to fully bridge the digital divide, with over 4 million UK households still lacking fast internet access.