WIREDGOV

BDUK welcomes the European Commission’s decision today to approve the 2016 National Broadband Scheme (NBS).

The announcement supports the Government’s objective of superfast speeds being available to 95% of homes and businesses by the end of 2017.

The decision recognises the NBS scheme as being compliant with EU competition law, and public bodies in the UK will not need to notify the Commission each time they wish to run a broadband procurement. Instead, they just need to demonstrate compliance with the NBS to BDUK. The NBS scheme will run until the end of 2020.

Digital Economy Minister Ed Vaizey said:

Nine out of ten homes and businesses in the UK can already get superfast broadband and we are reaching thousands more every week. The Commission’s decision will help us to reach more properties more quickly, bringing a welcome boost in broadband speeds to communities across the UK.

In the coming weeks and months, this Decision will be used to support procurements for the remaining funding of the BDUK’s Superfast Broadband Program as well as the £10 million Ultrafast fund for the Southwest.