Statement: Delivering the Broadband Universal Service

Statement published 6 June 2019

We want people across the whole of the UK to be able to access better broadband and mobile services, so everyone can benefit from the services they deliver. That means encouraging investment in improved networks and making sure that the coverage of networks extends as far as possible – even to the hardest to reach places.

In March 2018, the Government introduced legislation for a broadband ‘universal service obligation’ (USO), to give homes and businesses the right to request a decent and affordable broadband connection. We welcome the introduction of the USO, which is an important building block to improving access to broadband services across the UK. We have worked swiftly to implement it, so people can request a connection and receive these services as soon as possible.

We are now designating BT and KCOM as the Universal Service Providers and setting conditions that will apply to them as they deliver USO connections and services.

Update 4 September 2020 – explanatory statement on reporting timescales

We have today published an explanatory statement (PDF, 295.6 KB) modifying the time periods when BT and KCOM must provide us with their USO performance information, to align them with existing reporting timescales. We have also published an unofficial, consolidated version of the universal conditions and directions (PDF, 405.0 KB).