Project Gigabit framework agreement – Openreach

BDUK has signed a cross regional framework agreement with broadband provider, Openreach, to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to premises across Great Britain.

Building Digital UK (BDUK) has carried out significant market engagement across the UK to identify potential areas for government intervention to roll out gigabit-capable broadband.  

Following a fair and open procurement process, in 2024 BDUK signed a framework agreement with Openreach to provide hard-to-reach premises with access to gigabit-capable broadband.

The cross-regional framework predominantly delivers to rural premises that are not included in any supplier’s commercial rollout, in areas where there was insufficient appetite, credibility or capacity from suppliers to bid for smaller procurements. The framework will allow the delivery of multiple call-off contracts, covering premises in different clusters of geographic regions of the UK.   

Eight call-off contracts have been awarded under the framework, covering premises in the following areas:

Further procurement procedures are underway for additional call-offs under the agreement.

BDUK and councils across Great Britain will work with Openreach to support their network build. An amount of preparatory and planning work is required to reach premises (for example, digging trenches, laying duct, installing fibre) prior to citizens being able to access services. Once the gigabit-capable network has been built, residents and businesses will be able to request a connection from a broadband service provider to benefit from the improved speeds.

Please note the premises to be reached by these contracts is subject to change following further market research which may indicate that a connection has already been provided by another provider, or through extraordinary engineering difficulties during the lifetime.