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Written question asked by Julia Buckley (Labour) on Tuesday, 3 March 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 5 March 2026. It was answered by Kanishka Narayan (Labour) on Thursday, 12 March 2026 on behalf of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.


Broadband

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department is taking steps to develop a single national fibre broadband coverage map that identifies gaps in connectivity.

Answer

The Government recognises the importance of fast and reliable broadband connectivity across the UK and is committed to identifying and addressing gaps in coverage, in line with our ambition to achieve 99% gigabit broadband coverage by 2032.

Ofcom is responsible for collecting data and reporting on broadband coverage at national, regional, and local levels. This information is already publicly available through their Connected Nations reports and interactive tool, which illustrates via heat maps coverage in nations, local authorities, and constituencies. For consumers, Ofcom also provides a broadband availability address checker.

Building Digital UK (BDUK) uses Open Market Reviews to collect and analyse data from suppliers, to identify which premises are likely to require public subsidy to receive a gigabit-capable connection and uses this information to support delivery of Project Gigabit. The raw data is published by BDUK, with the latest release in January 2026: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/september-2025-omr-and-premises-in-bduk-plans-england-and-wales.

Some third-party websites use the data published by BDUK to produce their own publicly available coverage maps.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
117543
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Broadband Maps
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk