Column by Thornbury and Yate MP Luke Hall.

Having access to a good broadband connection is vital. We want more people to be able to work and run businesses from home, families to steam content at good speeds and our children to be able to do their homework online. That is why we have a Positive Plan to battling for better broadband in South Gloucestershire.

We have already seen progress. Since 2010, the Government has undertaken one of the most ambitious infrastructure programs ever seen in our rural communities, South Gloucestershire has seen a leap from 61% coverage in 2012 to 96% coverage today.

But there is more to do. Connecting the remaining 4% of local properties in our community which still do not have a good broadband connection remains vital.

This week we have heard news that 88,000 rural homes and businesses in South Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Swindon will get access to gigabit speed internet of 1,000 megabits per second. That’s enough to download a High-Definition movie in less than 30 seconds and will lay the foundations for next-generation technology to be introduced, such as 8K-quality video streaming.

We have also recently received news that some residents in our new estates in Frampton Cotterell will now have access to an ultra-fast Broadband upgrade. Openreach have now confirmed that they are working towards providing ultrafast Fibre to the Premises in the area. Work is still in its early stages, with exact timeframes and locations to be confirmed, however Openreach have indicated that the work is set to complete by the end of 2021.

And properties in Tockington, Petty France, Hill, Little Badminton, Falfield, Cromhall and other rural properties across South Gloucestershire have also been included in Phase 3B of South Gloucestershire Council’s Fibre Broadband Rollout.

Finally, across the UK, the Government has set out in its National Infrastructure Strategy, which made clear that the roll-out of broadband to rural and hard to reach areas is an absolute priority. Ministers are working with industry to target a minimum of 85 per cent gigabit-capable coverage by 2025, with the ambition to accelerate roll-out further to get as close to 100 per cent as possible.

South Gloucestershire is the most beautiful place to live anywhere in the country. Delivering our Positive Plan for broadband; pushing for the remaining rural homes to be connected, supporting Community Fibre Partnerships and ensuring that the final 4% are not left behind will keep it that way.

If you or anyone you know would like to report a Broadband issue or have any questions about the latest stage of Openreach’s Phase 3B rollout, please do not hesitate to get in touch: luke.hall.mp@parliament.uk.