ISPA has said that it is disappointed to see that only a quarter of the Government’s committed spending on broadband was allocated across the next four years in the Chancellor’s Comprehensive Spending Review. This considerable change in policy direction seems entirely out of step with the Government’s commitment to an “outside-in” approach and its levelling up agenda, the Association said.

ISPA noted that the industry is entering the key deployment phase for the UK’s gigabit capable network and said that immediate clarity on how and when the remaining £3.8 billion of funding will be allocated is critical as providers look to recalibrate their build plans, recruitment and investment decisions.

Andrew Glover, ISPA Chair, said that the announcement scaling back the support for broadband rollout in the hardest to reach areas “is a blow to rural communities. Instead of aiming for nationwide coverage, Government now expects coverage of 85% and with only a quarter of the previously promised funding allocated until 2025”. Mr Glover said that this will not stop providers from pressing ahead with their commercial rollout plans, but that it “puts an even greater emphasis on tackling the regulatory and practical barriers that make rollout more difficult than it should be”.

Mr Glover also noted how important broadband infrastructure has been to the UK economy during the pandemic and urged the Government “to ensure that this policy pivot does not lead to longer term digital exclusion of those in harder to reach areas”. To read ISPA’s press release in full, click here.