techUK comments on Gov's £5bn broadband pledge

30 Sep 2019 02:41 PM

Julian McGougan, executive director, techUK welcomes the continued to commitment to improving the country's digital infrastructre but acknowledges the many challenges...

Yesterday, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Nicky Morgan MP alongside the Chancellor announced that the Government is investing £5bn to expand broadband access across the country. 

The announcement from Manchester this morning is welcome. However, there are considerable challenges yet to be overcome if we are to achieve the Government's target of universal full-fibre by 2025. techUK looks forward to working closely with our partners in Government to tackle these challenges and achieve this ambitious target. 

Commenting on the proposals Julian McGougan, executive director, techUK yesterday said:

“techUK very much welcomes the Government’s renewed commitment to enabling gigabit-capable broadband, including 5G, into rural areas. These areas have tended to lag behind in availability of modern communications technologies, hampering the ability of SMEs, the lifeblood of rural areas, to compete. However, the challenges in deploying rural fibre and 5G masts are considerable, and it will require close collaboration between government at all levels, communities and telecoms providers to ensure the entire country can take part in tomorrow’s connected society."