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Connectivity remains vital for rural communities
Local knowledge could help identify homes and businesses at risk of missing out on improved broadband connectivity.
Reliable broadband is increasingly essential infrastructure for rural and island life, supporting businesses, home working and learning as well as access to online public services.
Project Gigabit was established specifically to reach homes and businesses which are outside suppliers’ commercial plans and which might otherwise miss out on improved digital connectivity. More than 30 Project Gigabit contracts have been signed to deliver gigabit-capable broadband in areas unlikely to be reached by the commercial market alone.
There are also other options for some premises outside commercial and contracted rollout areas. The Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme, for example, can provide eligible homes and businesses with vouchers worth up to £4,500 towards the cost of a gigabit-capable connection, although eligibility depends on the premises not already being covered by an existing or planned commercial network or Project Gigabit procurement or contract.
For rural and island areas, this is a useful opportunity for councils and communities to help identify broadband gaps and to:
- check local coverage information against residents’ and businesses’ real-world experience;
- identify missing premises or communities where planned improvements are unclear or have not materialised;
- gather evidence locally about continuing connectivity problems and planned broadband deployment; and
- engage with broadband teams and BDUK where information about expected commercial coverage appears inconsistent with the situation locally.
Although the review is primarily aimed at broadband infrastructure suppliers, local authorities, residents, businesses and other stakeholders can also respond. They are invited to provide information about whether a particular address or area currently has, or is expected to receive, gigabit-capable coverage, including the postcode or Unique Property Reference Number and the nature of any concern.
Building Digital UK will use the evidence to inform eligibility for Project Gigabit interventions, including procurements, GigaHubs and the UK Gigabit Voucher Scheme.
Responses must be submitted by 1 October 2026.
Further information: The Project Gigabit National Rolling Open Market Review September 2026 is available on GOV.UK, alongside information about Project Gigabit and the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme.
The original article from Rural Netowrk Services is available here: Councils And Communities Invited To Flag Broadband Gaps – Rural Services Network
