Consultation outcome

Closure of the Public Review request for information - release 3A consultation

Updated 2 August 2023

1. Summary

The Public Review (PR) process for Project Gigabit in the release 3A concluded on 5 October 2022 at 5pm. Building Digital UK (BDUK) requested evidence from all stakeholders - including the public, businesses, internet service providers and broadband infrastructure providers in relation to the proposed mapped eligible areas and associated postcode list, which has now closed to responses.

The PR covered the following geographical areas and began on 5 September 2022:

  • Herefordshire (Lot 15)
  • Cheshire (Lot 17)
  • Gloucestershire (Lot 18)
  • Lincolnshire (including NE Lincolnshire and N Lincolnshire) and East Riding (Lot 23)

This PR aimed to validate the outcome of the recent Open Market Review (OMR) and BDUK’s mapping to ensure that it correctly represents the information provided by suppliers in the course of the OMR and to ensure that the right areas are targeted for government investment.

The OMR was published on 6 April 2022.

2. Next Steps

Following the completion of the evaluation of all responses received through this PR, BDUK will then proceed to finalise the Intervention Area within Release 3A Lot areas, along with publishing a finalised report highlighting our findings which will be made available on GOV.UK.

Once this has been completed, BDUK will begin formal procurement activities. This will involve BDUK proceeding to issue an Invitation to Tender (ITT) via a procurement portal, for suppliers to bid for the opportunity to deliver extended gigabit-capable broadband coverage within Release 3A Lot areas.

If you are a supplier, and would like to know more about specifically the forthcoming procurement process for Release 3A Lot areas, please contact the BDUK Supplier Relationship team via bduksuppliers@dcms.gov.uk.

In the interim, if you require any information, please do not hesitate to contact us on ukgigabit@bduk.zendesk.com.