Government aims for full fibre broadband coverage across UK by 2033 | City A.M.
The government has outlined its ambition to bring full fibre to the entire of the UK by 2033 as it released its Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review (FTIR).
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport also said it would be pushing to make super fast full fibre broadband installed as standard in new properties.
Part of the modern Industrial Strategy, the FITR also suggests reforms to widen the scope of the 5G roll out as well as connect 15m premise to full fibre broadband by 2025.
Read more: Virgin Media in legal battle with local authority over fibre rollout
DCMS secretary Jeremy Wright said:
We want everyone in the UK to benefit from world-class connectivity no matter where they live, work or travel. This radical new blueprint for the future of telecommunications in this country will increase competition and investment in full fibre broadband, create more commercial opportunities and make it easier and cheaper to roll out infrastructure for 5G.
The FTIR’s analysis indicates that, without change, full fibre broadband networks will at best only ever reach three quarters of the country, and it would take more than twenty years to do so. It also indicates that 5G offers the potential for an expansion of the telecoms market, with opportunities for existing players and new entrants.
Key measures outlined in the FTIR also includes giving operators a ‘right to entry’ to flats, business parks, office blocks and other tenanted properties to give renters access to better connectivity and choice of supplier.
It will also invest in rural areas to ensure parts of the UK outside of cities also get access to full fibre.
DCMS will work with Ofcom to lead an industry-wide switchover from copper to fibre.
Sharon White, Ofcom chief executive, said: “We welcome the government’s review, and share its ambition for full-fibre and 5G networks to be rolled out right across the UK. The government and Ofcom are working together, and with industry, to help ensure people and businesses get the broadband and mobile they need for the 21st century.”
A spokesperson for Openreach said the organisation was “encouraged” by the government’s plan.
“As the national provider, we’re ambitious and want to build full fibre broadband to 10m premises and beyond – so it’s vital that this becomes an attractive investment without creating digital inequality or a lack of choice for consumers and businesses across the country.
“As the government acknowledges, the economics of building digital infrastructure remain challenging for everyone, and we believe a review of the current business rates regime is necessary to stimulate the whole sector.”