Guardian, The

Rural internet deserts in England and Wales to finally get fast broadband

The last corners of England and Wales yet to be covered by a £5 billion push to widen fast broadband could finally get access to rapid downloads, streaming and video calls after the government announced £289 million in new taxpayer-funded contracts enabling coverage. The new contracts to lay full-fibre connections in areas not reached by private investment would apply in north Wales, including Anglesey, south-west Wales, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Devon, Somerset, Essex and the north-east of England, the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) announced.