Written questions by Minns.

Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to help improve the resilience of mobile networks.

Reliable access to mobile services is essential. We recognise the impact that power cuts and storms can have on services, especially in rural areas – Storm Goretti is a recent example of this. Ofcom is analysing power backup requirements to ensure adequate resilience during outages. The Government is fostering collaboration between the electricity and telecommunications sectors to minimise disruption when power cuts occur, aiming to mitigate the impact and ensure any interruptions to mobile services are brief and affect as few people as possible.

Innovation and Technology, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of physical infrastructure access fees on the ability of alternative network providers to roll out full fibre broadband in rural areas.

The government is committed to delivering nationwide gigabit connectivity coverage by 2030. Today, 86% of premises can access gigabit-capable networks.The government's strategy supports market entry and expansion by alternative network operators via easy access to Openreach’s infrastructure including ducts and poles under Ofcom’s Physical Infrastructure Access framework (PIA). Government has set out in its Statement of Strategic Priorities that: “Government regards effective access to Openreach’s national network of underground ducts and poles as a key enabler of competitive network deployment.”Ofcom governs the PIA framework. Ofcom has powers to impose access conditions on electronic communications networks, enabling third parties to use Openreach’s ducts and poles on fair and reasonable terms, conditions and charges, and without undue discrimination.The government supports this framework but will not intervene in independent Ofcom decisions regarding the PIA price levels.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA) fee structure on full fibre broadband roll out in rural areas.

The government is committed to delivering nationwide gigabit connectivity coverage by 2030. Today, 86% of premises can access gigabit-capable networks.The government's strategy supports market entry and expansion by alternative network operators via easy access to Openreach’s infrastructure including ducts and poles under Ofcom’s Physical Infrastructure Access framework (PIA). Government has set out in its Statement of Strategic Priorities that: “Government regards effective access to Openreach’s national network of underground ducts and poles as a key enabler of competitive network deployment.”Ofcom governs the PIA framework. Ofcom has powers to impose access conditions on electronic communications networks, enabling third parties to use Openreach’s ducts and poles on fair and reasonable terms, conditions and charges, and without undue discrimination.The government supports this framework but will not intervene in independent Ofcom decisions regarding the PIA price levels.