| Executive agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | United Kingdom |
| Minister responsible | |
| Deputy Minister responsible | |
| Executive agency executive |
|
| Parent department | Department for Science, Innovation and Technology |
| Website | https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/building-digital-uk |
Building Digital UK (BDUK) is a unit within theDepartment for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) responsible for rolling outbroadband andmobile coverage to hard-to-reach (oftenrural) places across theUnited Kingdom.[2] It was originally established as anexecutive agency, but was integrated into DSIT, along with a number of other digital delivery bodies, on 1 November 2025.[3][4]
BDUK work to improve broadband and mobile connectivity in partnership with private companies,[5] with the governmentsubsidising private companiescapital costs, so they can provide services such as broadband in areas that would otherwise be commercially unviable. The networks remain owned and operated by private companies, with BDUK responsible for certain governance and compliance.[6] BDUK works to deliver two programmes, Project Gigabit (Broadband) and the Shared Rural Network (4G).[7]
BDUK is responsible for delivering 'Project Gigabit', the government’s programme to enable hard-to-reach communities to access gigabit-capable broadband, focusing on homes and businesses that are not included in broadband suppliers’ plans. The government has committed to achieving nationwide gigabit coverage and aims for 99% of premises to have access to a gigabit-capable connection by 2032.[8]
In 2019 only 6% of businesses and homes could access gigabit-capable broadband, this had increased to 78.5% by 2024 and to 87% by March 2025.[9][10][11] The 2024-2025 annual progress report stated that factors which could impact the projects aims, included "supplier challenges, funding constraints, market conditions or deployment complexities".[12]
This programme aims to deliver 4G to rural areas with limited or no 4G coverage, in partnership withmobile network operators, via a shared network ofphone masts, across the UK. The most significant improvements are being delivered in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.[7] The £1 billion programme was funded byThree,EE,O2 andVodafone, and the government.[13]
In 2025 the government announced that the programme had delivered a significant objective earlier than expected, with 4G available in 95% of the UK (by landmass).[14] Earlier in the year, the programme had been scaled back, reducing the number of planned new masts to 60.[15]