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Reports claim chancellor’s autumn statement will also offer public funding for 5G trials.
The U.K. Chancellor of the Exchequer is expected to allocate more than £1 billion (€1.17 billion) of public funds to support ultrafast broadband deployment when he makes his Autumn Statement tomorrow.
Reports from the BBC, Sky News, and The Guardian on Tuesday claimed that the Treasury will set up a £400 million digital infrastructure fund, which is expected to be matched by private sector investment.
The government is also expected to provide £740 million to local councils to fund 5G trials and the rollout of ancillary infrastructure, including further fibre optic deployment.
According to the reports, Chancellor Philip Hammond is expected to encourage the rollout of full fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP), rather than fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC).
Hammond’s predecessor, George Osborne, said in last year’s Autumn Statement that the government would explore setting up a new broadband fund for the purposes of helping alternative network operators compete with incumbent BT.
Now that it appears money will indeed be made available, the country’s altnets are understandably pleased.
"Today’s news is a very positive step in the right direction, which will help the rollout of full fibre broadband across the U.K.," said Dana Tobak, CEO of fibre-to-the-building provider Hyperoptic. She called on the government to set more aggressive broadband targets.
CityFibre CEO Greg Mesch said the prospect of extra funding represents a catalyst for delivering the U.K.’s fibre future.
"Britain’s industrial strategy needs a digital backbone, and it is essential that we move quickly to plug the U.K.’s fibre gap and empower our service-based economy," he said.
