BT has at last offered to provide the necessary infrastructure for 99% of premises in the UK to get superfast broadband by 2020. I have been campaigning for months to get BT to include wireless in their package of remedies in rural areas, such as those in Thirsk and Malton which are still not connected. BT has announced that it will spend up to £600 million and expect universal coverage by 2022. This is great news for local business and residents in rural locations who have been understandably frustrated by the lack of connectivity. This development is particularly welcome as it has the potential to deliver better connectivity to more people more quickly than the current plan which would have meant that homes and businesses in rural areas would only be connected in a piecemeal fashion from 2020 onwards. The Government is now considering this offer and will respond in due course but has made it clear that if it accepts, it will be legally binding.
