Yasmin Qureshi – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Yasmin Qureshi on 2016-06-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many premises in Bolton South East constituency do not have access to superfast broadband.

Mr Edward Vaizey

The Honourable member will be pleased to hear that 98% of premises in her constituency will have access to superfast broadband by Spring 2017.

Current estimates suggest that almost 95% of premises in the Bolton South East constituency are subject to commercial rollout, and based on DCMS modelled estimates and current delivery plans, a further 3% of premises will have access to superfast broadband by Spring 2017, thanks to the Government’s rollout. Early gainshare funding that BT will return in response to the high levels of take-up being achieved, could help extend coverage further. It is estimated only 784 premises will be without superfast broadband by spring 2017.

In addition, the Government’s intention to implement a new broadband Universal Service Obligation will give people the legal right to request a broadband connection, no matter where they live.