Gigabit Infrastructure Subsidy (GIS) Intervention Early Process Evaluation
Published 13 January 2025
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BDUK commissioned Ipsos UK to conduct an early process review of the Government Infrastructure Subsidy (GIS) programme. This provides information on what has worked well and less well in terms of providing the GIS intervention to date, and to allow BDUK to reflect on and potentially enhance the processes used for the remainder of the intervention or for subsequent programmes.
This report aims to assess:
- Market engagement activity at different stages of delivery
- Intervention design and development of intervention areas
- The Open Market Review (OMR) and public review process, and how these have evolved over time.
Early findings indicate that the intervention appears to be operating effectively. There were several areas of the programme which are working well, including initial market engagement, intervention design, the selection of intervention areas, and the OMR process. BDUK have secured a high level of participation in the OMR process and all contracts tendered at the time of the research attracted submissions from network providers. However, there were some areas of concern around the change in the responsibilities of local bodies compared to the Superfast Broadband Programme, as well as around internal data across different interventions. BDUK are trying to improve the quality of their internal data to help improve the accuracy of the OMR process.