44.5 per cent of Skipton and Ripon now has access to lightning-fast gigabit-capable broadband, after the Government launched Project Gigabit in 2019.
The £5 billion investment means more and more hard-to-reach, rural communities can now access this broadband, which works about ten times faster than the average superfast broadband.
Thanks to the hard work of the telecoms industry and the Government, gigabit coverage across the UK has increased rapidly in recent years – from one in ten households in 2019 to eight in ten today. It’s a significant improvement in a short timeframe, meaning the UK is currently building gigabit networks faster than any EU country.
The Government is working with broadband suppliers to hit its target of at least 85 per cent gigabit coverage across the UK by 2025, and nationwide coverage by 2030.
Better connectivity boosts productivity for businesses, unlocks new digital opportunities for people in every corner of the country and helps to grow the economy.
Julian Smith said, “This is brilliant news for people and businesses across Skipton and Ripon.
“Since I was first elected in 2010, expanding and speeding up internet connectivity has been one of my main priorities.
“There is still a way to go, but this news represents great progress and I’ll continue to work with my ministerial colleagues and the telecom industry to ensure we meet our 2025 target.”
