UK government gives Project Gigabit an ￡800M nudge

The recently elected Labour government in the UK says it has struck a "monumental" deal with Openreach to extend gigabit connectivity to around 312,000 more homes and businesses in hard-to-reach parts of the UK including, for the first time, rural parts of Wales. All told, the government is providing "up to" £800 million (US$1.02 billion) in funding for this fresh phase of Project Gigabit, though to date contracts worth £288 million ($368 million) to connect around 96,000 homes have actually been signed with Openreach – negotiations are currently ongoing about contracts that would connect 215,800 more premises across England, Scotland and Wales. Among those who are set to benefit from this rollout is Trinity House, a charity that looks after lighthouses and other maritime navigation aids.