The term “levelling up” is often used in political discourse by the UK Government. It refers to the goal of reducing regional inequalities and promoting economic growth and prosperity across different parts of the country. The idea is to ensure that people in all regions of the UK have access to similar opportunities and quality of life, regardless of their geographical location.
The concept of levelling up encompasses various aspects, including improving infrastructure, education, healthcare, job opportunities, and investment in disadvantaged areas. The aim is to address regional disparities by boosting economic growth in areas that have historically lagged behind.
The UK government has been taking various measures to improve broadband connectivity in rural communities. The measures include:
Broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO): The UK government introduced a Broadband USO, which grants every household and business in the UK the legal right to request a broadband connection with a minimum download speed of 10 Mbps. This initiative ensures that even the most remote areas have access to a basic level of broadband connectivity.
Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme: The government launched the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme, which provides vouchers to rural homes and businesses to subsidise the costs of installing gigabit-capable broadband connections. The scheme aims to accelerate the deployment of faster and more reliable broadband infrastructure in rural areas.
Rural Gigabit Connectivity (RGC) program: The government also launched the Rural Gigabit Connectivity program, which is focused on delivering gigabit-capable connections to the hardest-to-reach rural areas. This program aims to support the deployment of gigabit broadband in areas where commercial investment is unlikely.
Local Full-Fiber Networks (LFFN) program: The LFFN program, provides funding to local authorities to build and improve digital infrastructure, including broadband networks. The program aims to encourage local partnerships and investments to deliver full-fibre connectivity in rural and remote areas.
Mobile Coverage and 5G Deployment: The government has been working on improving mobile coverage in rural areas through initiatives such as the Mobile Infrastructure Project (MIP) and the Shared Rural Network (SRN). The deployment of 5G technology is expected to enhance connectivity options for rural communities.
It’s worth noting that initiatives are subject to updates and potential changes. For the latest information on how the UK Government is levelling up broadband for rural communities, we recommend referring to Building Digital UK.
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