Autumn Statement 2016 confirms £1bn investment into ‘full-fibre’ and 5G broadband

TWO million British homes and businesses may soon be able to enjoy a much faster internet connection.

Delivering his Autumn Statement today, Chancellor Philip Hammond has announced a £400million investment in boosting broadband speeds.

He also pledged £740million to develop ultra-fast 5G mobile networks, which will be provided to some local authorities.

The £400million will fund the extension of faster fibre-optic networks across the nation - and the public money will be matched by private investment.

Meanwhile, smaller internet companies will be able to borrow from this fund in order to provide a service that can complete with larger internet service providers.

As a result of this investment, more secure, faster fibre-optic cables would run directly to homes and businesses, instead of a cabinet which transmits the connection using copper cables.

The Treasury believes two million more homes would get "full-fibre" broadband, which can reach speeds of up to 1GB per second.

Currently, only two per cent of families have the ultra-fast connection, which works by pulsing light through cables made of glass or plastic.

Earlier this year, Ofcom reported 1.5 million people in the UK have "below minimum" internet service.

Commenting on the proposed investment, Alex Neill, Which? Managing Director of Home & Legal services, said:"Broadband is an essential part of modern life. The UK has lagged behind many other countries and people regularly have problems with speed and connectivity.

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