Broadband: Rural Areas
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 13 March 2025 to Question 35864 on Broadband: Devon and Somerset, whether her Department plans to take steps to help ensure that the physical infrastructure access pricing model encourages investment by alternative network providers in rural areas.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan
As the independent regulator for telecommunications, Ofcom is responsible for making regulatory decisions in the fixed telecoms sector, including on the Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA) product.
In July, we published our draft Statement of Strategic Priorities for telecommunications, the management of radio spectrum, and postal services that sets out the Government’s view on infrastructure sharing in the fixed telecoms sector, including asking Ofcom to demonstrate greater transparency in how they calculate and set PIA prices.
The draft Statement also sets out how Ofcom can continue to support the roll-out of broadband across the UK, including in rural areas, by promoting competition.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →