InBuilding 2023,Digital FreedomUK Fibre(BDUK) washas awardedcarried aout contractsignificant market engagement in the region to identify potential areas for government intervention to roll out gigabit-capable broadbandbroadband.

Following a transparent, fair and robust procurement process, BDUK awarded supplier Freedom Fibre a £24 million contract to provide around 12,000 premises in North Shropshire.   Shropshire with access to gigabit-capable broadband. The contract was signed in April 2023.

DueBDUK toand changesShropshire inCouncil will work collaboratively with the externalsupplier market,on Freedomensuring Fibrethat network build commences as quickly as possible, once the supplier has completed their detailed plans for this build. An amount of preparatory work is norequired longerto reach premises (for example, digging trenches, laying duct, installing fibre) prior to being able to completeaccess thea service. This varies depending on geography and supplier. The first premises under this contract are anticipated to have access to gigabit-capable broadband in full.2024. FreedomOnce Fibrethe gigabit-capable network has alreadybeen completedbuilt, residents and businesses will be able to request a connection from a broadband service provider to benefit from the buildfaster speeds.

Below is a map of the areas due to 2,500be upgraded in the awarded North Shropshire contract.

Please note the premises andto aimsbe reached by the contract is subject to reachchange afollowing furtherdetailed 1,000planning by the endsupplier or due to technical reasons during the lifetime of the contract.

Further detail on the premises due to be upgraded as part of this month.  network build contract will be available on this page in due course.

BDUKIf andyour Freedompremises Fibreis not currently within the planned contract build, this may be for one of the following reasons:

• Gigabit-capable infrastructure currently exists in your area

• Broadband network suppliers have mutuallyindicated agreedto us as part of our Open Market Review and Public Review process that they have plans to descopereach you as part of their commercial build plans. This may include work planned as part of existing voucher projects through the remainingGigabit 8,500Broadband Voucher Scheme

• Your premises fromis outside of the scope of this contract.project BDUKowing to cost or difficulty in reaching it with gigabit-capable infrastructure. The government is nowconducting movingtrials swiftlyusing satellites for improved connectivity to putsuch inpremises following a call for evidence that has taken place

This alternativecontract plansis part of a wider strategy for Project Gigabit, with other supplierslocal and regional procurements to connectbuild premisesgigabit-capable thatinfrastructure wereplanned dueand tounderway across the UK. A list of awarded Project Gigabit contracts can be coveredviewed byhere.

Under thisProject contract.Gigabit the government is also providing up to £210 million worth of voucher funding as immediate help for people experiencing slow broadband speeds in rural areas. You can find out if you are eligible for a rural voucher on the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme website.

Further information about Project Gigabit can be found on the BDUKProject Gigabit website and under Project Gigabit: UK Subsidy advice.