British media: Britain is likely to fail to achieve broadband and 5G targets by 2025

According to a report on the BBC website on December 22, the British government "is likely to fail to achieve" its broadband and 5G targets.

The UK will miss its target of providing superfast broadband to 85 per cent of its areas by 2025, MPs have warned.

According to British media reports, the British government's original goal was to achieve national coverage within five years. However, when only 25% of the promised 5 billion funds were in place, the goal was cut.

A statement released by the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee (DCMS) of the House of Commons said budget cuts coupled with a "lack of effective planning" meant the UK might end up having to catch up with other countries.

Data map: This is a photo of a mobile phone and a computer showing the 5G logo in London, UK (Xinhua News Agency)

British media pointed out that industry insiders "do not really believe" that the British government's current goals are achievable within the current time frame.

Julian Knight, chairman of the DCMS, said: “Just weeks after ministers assured us they would stick to their promise, the UK government has decided to abandon its 2025 target for gigabit broadband. This is a belated recognition that this is unrealistic and impossible to achieve and highlights the concerns we have heard from industry.”

A recent Ofcom report showed that continued growth in full-fibre broadband is essential, with only 18% of the UK having access to full-fibre broadband services.

DCMS also reiterated concerns within the UK telecoms industry that the government will not be able to meet its 5G coverage targets, leaving some areas without connectivity.

The report also said that as part of its £5 billion plan, the British government previously announced that 5G will cover most parts of the UK by 2027.

However, the DCMS said their current plans failed to address the difficulty in reaching rural parts of the country.

Around 9% of the UK has little or no access to 4G networks from any provider.