Lincolnshire Broadband Programme
Commercial providers use full fibre infrastructure to deliver gigabit speeds to internet users. The UK Government has recognised that commercial providers target larger urban clusters because these areas are cheaper to upgrade and provide greater customer numbers.
Project Gigabit
This UK-wide project, launched by the UK Government via Building Digital UK (BDUK), sources interested providers to build full fibre infrastructure in rural areas. It hopes to achieve 95% UK-wide gigabit capability by 2025 and as close to 100% as possible by 2030.
BDUK divided the UK into ‘lots’ that covered geographical areas. Lots 5, 7, 10, and 23 cover Lincolnshire.
Lots 5 and 7 have been awarded to CityFibre. Cambridgeshire and Norfolk are the lead local bodies, with input from Lincolnshire. There are approximately 5,000 eligible properties in Lincolnshire, and the lots are now being deployed.
Lot 10 has been awarded to Connexin. Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire are the lead local bodies. There are approximately 12,000 eligible properties in Lincolnshire.
Lot 23, one of the largest in the UK, has been awarded to Quickline Communications. Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire and East Riding are the lead local bodies. There are approximately 47,000 eligible properties in Lincolnshire, and the lot is now being deployed.
These projects are expected to be completed by the end of 2028 but may extend beyond that date.
For the latest update on Project Gigabit, click here.
Very Hard to Reach (VHTR) properties
FTTP is the technology that BDUK recognises as gigabit-capable. Because of the rural nature of Lincolnshire, approximately 5% of the properties included in the lots are deemed to be too expensive to be served by FTTP, and they are categorised as VHTR. We are looking at how we can provide ultrafast speeds to these properties.
BDUK will not provide funding for these properties, so alternative funding will be needed to reach them. Our Broadband Team has funding available for this and is currently looking into all options. It is hoped deployment to VHTR properties could begin at the same time as Project Gigabit deployment.
Social Tariff broadband packages
Social tariffs offer cheaper broadband and phone packages to people claiming certain benefits.
Broadband providers have been encouraged to offer these tariffs to lower-income households to make broadband affordable and ensure high-speed connectivity is accessible to all.
You can find out more about these packages by visiting the website of your local broadband provider.
Find out more
If you have a query about the project, please get in touch.
Contact Onlincolnshire
