The Telecoms Minister visited Leeds today to reaffirm the government’s commitment to achieving full gigabit coverage by 2030.
In a significant advancement for rural communities, 4500 homes and businesses in Yorkshire have gained access to high-speed internet through Project Gigabit. This milestone is part of a larger effort to bridge the digital divide and ensure equitable connectivity.
The government awarded a multimillion-pound contract to Quickline earlier this year, facilitating this recent expansion. Sir Chris Bryant commented on the development, stating, “Thousands of rural households, businesses, and students in this region can now enjoy better connectivity without having to battle for bandwidth with neighbours or other family members to stream video and music or download big files crucial for work and education.”
Sir Chris Bryant further emphasised the importance of closing the digital divide in regions with tremendous potential like Yorkshire. He underscored that eliminating such disparities is a top priority and voiced his optimism about achieving nationwide gigabit coverage by 2030. “It is fantastic to mark a new step towards this journey and start delivering the connectivity the region deserves to thrive and compete,” he added.
Julian Chalk, Head of Network Engagement and Enablement at Quickline, echoed these sentiments, highlighting Quickline’s commitment to bringing gigabit-capable broadband to rural communities in the York area. He stated, “We’re proud to be delivering gigabit capable broadband to rural communities in the York area as part of the government’s Project Gigabit programme. Our goal is to make an impact quickly and light up these areas as soon as possible. Everyone deserves access to reliable broadband and we’re committed to helping our customers to thrive in the digital world.”
This initiative marks a pivotal step towards eliminating the digital divide in Yorkshire and ensuring all communities have access to the high-speed connectivity necessary for modern life. With commitments from both the government and Quickline, the region is well on its way to achieving full gigabit coverage by 2030.