Openreach have committed to building its new ultrafast broadband network for 3.2 million homes and businesses in some of the UK’s hardest-to-serve communities.

Here's what you need to know.

How much are they spending?

The company said it was part of a £12 billion investment programme aimed at delivering full fibre broadband to 20 million premises throughout the UK by the mid-to-late 2020s.

Openreach also published a list of 251 locations where it will build the new full fibre network over the next three years.

What have Openreach said?

Clive Selley, chief executive of Openreach, said: “This year we’ve all seen the importance of having a decent broadband connection, and at Openreach we’re convinced that full fibre technology can underpin the UK’s economic recovery.

“We’re determined to find inventive engineering solutions and effective partnership funding models to reduce costs and enable us to connect as many communities as possible across the UK without public subsidy.

“Openreach is leading the charge to help Government achieve its target of making gigabit capable networks available nationwide by 2025.

“We hope that by publishing our own plans, we can help ensure that taxpayers only fund connections in communities that really need public support.”

What has the digital secretary said?

Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “Fast and secure internet connections will be a vital tool to help our economy recover and we have committed £5 billion to make sure the hardest-to-reach areas of the UK aren’t left behind.

“Today’s announcement is a significant step forward, with Openreach delivering better broadband so 3.2 million families and businesses can work and enjoy faster speeds.”

FULL LIST: Here are the 251 locations where Openreach will build the new full fibre network over the next three years

  • Abercwmboi
  • Abercynon
  • Abergavenny
  • Aberystwyth
  • Alloa
  • Alnwick
  • Alva
  • Ardrossan
  • Askern
  • Auchinleck
  • Aviemore
  • Banbury
  • Banff
  • Bangor
  • Barnoldswick
  • Barnton
  • Barrow-In -Furness
  • Beamish
  • Beddau
  • Bedwas
  • Belhaven
  • Belper
  • Bexhill
  • Bideford
  • Bishopsteignton
  • Blyth
  • Bodmin
  • Bognor Regis
  • Bourne
  • Breich
  • Bridgwater
  • Bridlington
  • Brynmawr
  • Buckie
  • Buckley
  • Buckpool
  • Burnham-On-Sea
  • Burton On Trent
  • Buxton
  • Caeathro
  • Caernarfon
  • Caerphilly
  • Caister-On-Sea
  • Campbeltown
  • Cannock
  • Canterbury
  • Chapel En Le Frith
  • Chester Le Street
  • Chippenham
  • Church Village
  • Cirencester
  • Clackmannan
  • Cockenzie and Port Seton
  • Codicote
  • Colwyn Bay
  • Connahs Quay
  • Conwy
  • Cowie
  • Crediton
  • Creswell
  • Cross Hills
  • Cross Keys
  • Crowborough
  • Cullingworth
  • Cullompton
  • Cumnock
  • Cwm
  • Dafen
  • Dalmellington
  • Dalry(Ayr)
  • Dalton-In-Furness
  • Dartmouth
  • Daventry
  • Dawlish
  • Deganwy
  • Dorchester
  • Dumfries
  • Dunbar
  • East Rainton
  • Elgin
  • Ellon
  • Embsay
  • Evesham
  • Exmouth
  • Falmouth
  • Fauldhouse
  • Ferndale
  • Filey
  • Findochty
  • Forres
  • Fraserburgh
  • Gainsborough
  • Galashiels
  • Galston
  • Georgetown
  • Gerrards Cross
  • Girvan
  • Glossop
  • Godalming
  • Goldthorpe
  • Great Wakering
  • Greenbank
  • Harrington
  • Hartford
  • Haslemere
  • Hatfield
  • Haverhill
  • Hawick
  • Haywards Heath
  • Hednesford
  • Hereford
  • Herne Bay
  • Heybridge
  • High Green
  • Highbridge
  • Holmhead
  • Horncastle
  • Horsham
  • Houghton Le Spring
  • Hullbridge
  • Hunstanton
  • Ilfracombe
  • Ilminster
  • Inverurie
  • Irby
  • Isle of Portland
  • Kelty
  • Kendal
  • Kilsyth
  • Kilwinning
  • Kincardine
  • Kings Lynn
  • Kingsbridge
  • Kinmel Bay
  • Knottingley
  • Lanark
  • Leabrooks
  • Leasingham
  • Leek
  • Lennoxtown
  • Leominster
  • Lewes
  • Llanbradach
  • Llandudno
  • Llanelli
  • Llanharan
  • Llanrug
  • Llantrisant
  • Llantwit Fardre
  • Longridge
  • Lossiemouth
  • Ludlow
  • Lynton
  • Lytham
  • Maldon
  • Malton
  • Malvern
  • Market Drayton
  • Matlock
  • Maxwelltown
  • Menstrie
  • Millom
  • Milton of Campsie
  • Miskin
  • Morpeth
  • Mountain Ash
  • Nantwich
  • Netherthird
  • Northam
  • Northwich
  • Otley
  • Peebles
  • Penicuik
  • Penrhos Garnedd
  • Penrith
  • Penryn
  • Peterhead
  • Pickering
  • Pontyclun
  • Portishead
  • Poulton-Le-Fylde
  • Prestonpans
  • Pwllheli
  • Queenzieburn
  • Rayleigh
  • Rhosllanerchrugog
  • Rhuddlan
  • Rhyl
  • Rhymney
  • Rochford
  • Saltcoats
  • Sandbach
  • Sauchie
  • Scarborough
  • Seaford
  • Seamill
  • Selby
  • Selkirk
  • Settle
  • Skelmersdale
  • Skipton
  • Sleaford
  • Somercoates
  • South Elmsall
  • South Kirkby
  • South Lynn
  • South Molton
  • South Queensferry
  • St. Annes
  • Stainforth
  • Stamford
  • Stevenston
  • Stonehaven
  • Stratford On Avon
  • Stroud
  • Swadlincote
  • Swanick
  • Swiss Valley
  • Taunton
  • Teignmouth
  • Tewkesbury
  • Thirsk
  • Thurcroft
  • Thurso
  • Tonteg
  • Towcester
  • Tranent
  • Truro
  • Tweedbank
  • Tylorstown
  • Tywyn
  • Upton
  • Upwey
  • Walney
  • Wattstown
  • Welshpool
  • West Ashby
  • West Kilbride
  • West Rainton
  • Weymouth
  • Whalley
  • Whitby
  • Whitstable
  • Whitwell
  • Wickersley
  • Willington
  • Wilsden
  • Winnington
  • Winsford
  • Workington
  • Yeovil