Hyperoptic is launching a new mesh Wi-Fi service to boost connectivity for larger properties, heavy Wi-Fi users or busy households with lots of connected devices.
Tue, 24/12/2024 - 12:54
The Building Digital UK (BDUK) agency has made good progress this year achieving most objectives set out in its Corporate Plan 2023 to 2026, with over 81% of UK residents now having access to a gigabit-capable broadband.
The executive agency responsible for two major programmes, Project Gigabit and the Shared Rural Network (SRN) investment, has achieved the headline delivery targets for both well ahead of schedule.
Its recent annual report for 2024 shows that under Project Gigabit, 21 contracts worth over £1 billion were awarded by 31st March, and the target to pass at least 125,000 premises over the course of the year was exceeded by passing 143,900 premises.
The latest data (October 2024) also shows that the primary delivery target was exceeded for Project Gigabit, meeting the initial target of 85% gigabit coverage over a year early.
Similar strong progress in SRN has been made: 93% of the UK’s landmass had 4G coverage from at least one mobile network operator in March 2024, up from 91% in March 2020.
4G coverage continued to rise - figures show hitting the programme’s target of 95% coverage ahead of its target date of December 2025.
“To ensure we continue to deliver the best possible outcomes for hard-to-reach communities, we must prepare for market challenges and economic headwinds ahead,” said Dean Creamer CBE BDUK Chief Executive Officer.
“To successfully deliver Project Gigabit and the SRN, we will need to navigate macroeconomic, resource, and financial challenges with our partners,” Creamer continued.
This will mean the BDUK actively monitoring and responding to these challenges to maximise the benefits of these infrastructure projects over the coming years.