Liberal Democrat Councillor, Charity Trustee and Campaigner Learn more
by Jackie Porter on 12 December, 2021
I received an update on the government’s project gigabit broadband programme in Hampshire, which is being run by Building Digital UK (BDUK), part of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). See below:-
The £5bn programme seeks to ensure almost all premises in the UK can access gigabit capable broadband by 2032 and further details can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/project-gigabit-delivery-plan-summer-update
The Gigabit Voucher programme has been very popular but is quite complex and communities often require assistance from Hampshire Count Council (HCC), BDUK and suppliers such as Openreach to be able to access the funding and the level of community involved required means that some schemes do not get off the ground. To address this and speed up delivery government is launching a series of large scale procurements.
Hampshire is in Phase 1b of the procurement process which is due to start in February 2022. As part of this the government will pause new applications to the Gigabit Voucher Programme on 14 January for 8 weeks. This will enable a fixed list of premises to be included in the government-led procurement. Once the procurement has been completed the Voucher Scheme will be un-paused and premises not included in the suppliers’ proposals will be eligible for the Voucher Scheme.
Implications and outcomes for residents:
Gigabit Broadband Delivery:
Voucher Schemes across Hampshire:
If you have any questions please email me and I’ll endeavour to seek an answer from our knowledgeable officers at HCC. jackie.porter@hants.gov.uk
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