In response to the UK Government’s move to create a legal right to decent broadband, BT Openreach has offered to invest £600m to enable 99% of homes and businesses to access decent broadband by 2020.
The investment will also mean that in the next 5 years, every person will have access to broadband of at least 10Mbps, the speed Ofcom says a typical household currently needs.
The UK Government’s Digital Economy Act 2017 will create a Universal Service Obligation (USO), giving everyone the right to request a connection, up to a reasonable cost threshold.
This latest announcement from BT Openreach has the potential to deliver universal access to decent broadband more quickly than the USO. Unlike under a regulatory USO, the legally binding proposal from BT is to proactively build the necessary network infrastructure to connect the majority of households and businesses rather than wait for this to be done on request.
The UK Government has announced that it will continue to consult on how best to implement the USO before deciding whether to accept BT Openreach’s offer, however the news has been welcomed by local MP John Lamont and Rachael Hamilton MSP.
Rachael Hamilton MSP said: “I am pleased that more focus is being placed on getting broadband to rural areas. This has the potential to dramatically benefit the Borders where so many areas still struggle with slow broadband speed.
“We know that the Scottish Government has made its own commitments, however any effort that could see broadband rolled out to desperately in need rural areas faster can only be welcomed.
“There is careful thought and consideration to be done. Ultimately, we need to ensure that we see rural areas getting strong broadband sooner rather than later.”
Commenting, John Lamont MP added: “This news has the potential to deliver on universal broadband even more quickly than the UK Government’s ambitious plans.
“While it’s correct that we look closely at what the best approach will be for consumers, this offer from BT would mean people in the Borders are connected more quickly and without having to make a request. It is down to the pressure from the UK Government that there are now options on how best to improve broadband in rural parts of the UK.
“For too long, residents and businesses in the Borders have had to put up with unreliable and slow broadband connections and this is undoubtedly holding the region back.
“As well as the Universal Service Obligation, the UK Government’s Borderlands Growth Deal will consider what can be done to improve digital infrastructure in the Borders.
“I look forward to discussing these plans with the UK Minister for Digital, Matt Hancock MP. We need to see progress as soon as possible.”