Everyone in the UK will have the legal right to request a decent and affordable broadband connection from March next year, Ofcom has ruled.
A new 'universal broadband service' safety net will give eligible homes and businesses the legal right to fast broadband.
Through legislation introduced last year, households will be able to request better broadband, capable of delivering download speeds of at least 10 Mbit/s, and upload speeds of at least 1 Mbit/s.
As it currently stands, the scheme will benefit 620,000 homes and offices, which are among the most remote in the UK.
BT will be responsible for connecting properties in the whole of the UK except the Hull area, where KCOM will be the designated provider.
"We have given BT and KCOM until 20 March next year to make the necessary preparations, including changes to their systems and processes, to start building these connections. From that date, people can start making requests," Ofcom said.
How the scheme will work
When someone make BT KCOM's a request, BT or KCOM will have 30 days to confirm whether the customer is eligible.
This will involve establishing whether the property already has access to decent broadband, at an affordable price; or if it is due to be connected by a publicly-funded scheme within 12 months.
Once confirmed, BT or KCOM will have to deliver the connection as quickly as possible.
Under the legislation for the new service, the cost of providing connections to eligible homes will be paid for up to £3,400.
If the required work costs more than that, customers can either pay the additional costs or seek an alternative solution outside the universal service, such as satellite broadband.
Customers who are connected through the new universal service will pay the same prices and receive the same service quality as other broadband customers who have an equivalent connection.
Lindsey Fussell, of Ofcom said: "As more of our daily lives move online, bringing better broadband to people and businesses is crucial. From next year, this new broadband safety net will give everyone a legal right to request a decent connection – whether you live in a city or a hamlet. This will be vital for people who are struggling to get the broadband they need."
