The Government set out the importance of regulation that promotes competition and investment in new gigabit-capable networks wherever possible in our 2018 Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review and Statement of Strategic Priorities. However, these documents also recognise that it would be necessary for the Government and potentially the regulator to intervene in areas of the country where competition and commercial investment is less likely. Since the publication of these documents, the Government has engaged closely with Ofcom on the interaction between our £5 billion UK Gigabit Programme and their regulatory proposals, particularly in relation to its proposed Area 3. We are confident that our publicly subsidised intervention and Ofcom’s regulations will work effectively together to maximise nationwide gigabit capable coverage by 2025.