Your right to decent broadband
The Broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO) gives you the right to request a connection with a download speed of at least 10 Mbit/s and an upload speed of at least 1 Mbit/s. Under the Order, the connection must be provided if it will cost no more than £3,400, or if it costs more and you agree to pay the excess, subject to other conditions such as no publicly funded scheme reaching you within a year (USO Order 2018)
Project Gigabit
The government's Project Gigabit programme funds gigabit-capable connections in hard-to-reach areas, and its Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme closed to new voucher project submissions on 31 August 2026, though existing projects continue. A gigabit-capable connection can deliver at least 1 Gbps; "superfast" means over 30 Mbps (GOV.UK).
Options for rural homes
- Full fibre from Openreach, an altnet or a community scheme, if it reaches you.
- Fixed wireless from a local provider, using a small antenna pointed at a mast.
- 4G or 5G home broadband, often with an external antenna on the roof or a pole.
- Satellite, which needs a clear view of the sky and works almost anywhere.
What a local installer can do
Local installers can survey signal strength, fit external antennas and satellite dishes, run cable to outbuildings and set up mesh Wi-Fi across a farmhouse with thick stone walls.
Frequently asked questions
What is the broadband USO?
The Universal Service Obligation gives homes the right to request a connection of at least 10 Mbit/s download and 1 Mbit/s upload. The connection must be provided if it costs up to £3,400, or more if you pay the excess, subject to conditions.
Is satellite broadband good for rural homes?
It can be the best option where there's no fibre or good mobile signal, as long as you have a clear view of the sky. Compare latency, data allowances and contract terms.
Can I still get a gigabit broadband voucher?
GOV.UK says the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme closed to new voucher project submissions on 31 August 2026. Delivery continues for existing voucher projects until the scheme's planned closure on 31 March 2028 or their agreed end dates.