Four out of five UK properties can now get superfast broadband

UK Culture Secretary, Sajid Javid.

Four out of five UK properties can now access superfast broadband speeds with the help of a national schemed to connect hard-to-reach properties, according to the latest government figures. 

The UK government’s nationwide rollout of superfast broadband to properties not covered by existing commercial networks has now reached more than two million homes and businesses, according to stats published today.

The government says that it is now on track to take superfast access – of broadband speeds faster than 24 Mbps – to 95% of the UK by 2017.

“Today there are two million more UK homes and businesses with access to superfast broadband than there were two years ago as a result of this ambitious project,” said culture secretary Sajid Javid.

“This is a tremendous result that is already making a huge difference to millions of people. We want everyone in the UK to be able to enjoy the benefits of superfast broadband, that’s why we’ve begun work on reaching the last five per cent of communities not covered by existing plans.”

The government claims that faster broadband is a catalyst for economic growth, and estimates that its rollout will result in the creation of 56,000 more jobs in the UK by 2024.