Digital Connectivity Forum | April Newsletter

During March and April, the Digital Connectivity Forum has been busy holding various events and workshops, as well as releasing exciting new initiatives. Following the Government’s release of the 10-year Infrastructure Strategy, the DCF held a workshop bringing together the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, HM Treasury and its industry members to discuss the strategy, including long-term digital infrastructure ambitions, the cross-sector coordination of infrastructure delivery and how the strategy can ensure certainty for the sector to encourage investment and growth.  

In addition, the DCF’s Climate & Sustainability Working Group launched a net zero initiative which saw ten of the largest players from across the UK connectivity sector (representing over £50 billion in annual turnover) sign a letter encouraging suppliers to adopt voluntary minimum standards as part of their efforts to reach climate goals. The announcement marks a significant step forward in the increasing commitment and focus from UK providers to decarbonise their products and services. 

In other net zero activity, the DCF held an interactive workshop with Capgemini focusing on ‘writing the story of net zero’, and how we can reach and accelerate our respective and combined net zero targets. The day involved companies from across the UK connectivity space, and focused on identifying the challenges, beating back the monsters, writing the heroes and plotting the path to a happy ever after as attendees recontextualised the road to net zero, bringing out key actions and ideas for the next pages in the book of sustainability.  

Identified areas included: 

• Engaging our leaders 
• Education for everyone 
• Every job is a green job 
• Support for supply chains 
• A circular future 
• Making sustainability part of business DNA 
• Knowing the impacts of products throughout their life cycle 

As we move through April into May, and summer begins to approach, the Digital Connectivity Forum continues to have a busy itinerary of activity planned. We look forward to updating you in future editions of the newsletter.

Government News

In an update to the 5G Innovation Regions programme, which aims to drive innovative applications powered by 5G from proof of concept to widespread adoption, there were numerous March updates to existing projects including the extension and increased funding to Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Oxfordshire County Council and Glasgow City Council. The additional funding and timing extension will mean the continuation of exploration into 5G powered progress across areas including connected sensors for mould, damp and heating, air source heat pump integration and sensor enhanced operational efficiency among other use cases and applications.  

On 21 May the Government launched a consultation for plans to make digital standards a requirement for all schools, alongside a £45 million investment to improve connectivity. As the world continues to digitise, children and students face a rapidly advancing educational landscape, as well as future working environment. The skills of today need to be future proofed for tomorrow, and this consultation and spending from the Government is part of its focus on breaking down the links between children’s background and their future success. 

On 27 March, Sir Chris Bryant, Minister for Data Protection and Telecoms, gave a speech at the Connected Futures Festival in which he reemphasised the importance of connectivity and its intrinsic link to future growth. Sir Chris also noted a Government shift in terminology, in that the term ‘future telecoms’ will be being retired and replaced with ‘advanced connectivity technologies’, in acknowledgement that the solutions once described as ‘future telecoms’ are now a present and usable reality. 

In addition to recognising the importance of digital connectivity, Sir Chris also noted Government’s commitment to ensuring it was both available and accessible to UK residents, noting that 1.6 million people in the UK still live largely offline and reaffirming the Government’s ambition to have gigabit-capable broadband in every home and business, alongside commitments announced in the Digital Inclusion Action Plan to make sure people have the devices and skills needed to access this digitally revolutionised society.  On 1 April Government released a statement detailing the confirmed and proposed measures forming the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill which will be laid before Parliament later in the year. The measures include key updates to the UK’s cyber security framework, including building resilience across critical infrastructure, greater enforcement powers for regulators, and expansion of regulation across data centres. 

Regulatory News

Following the success of the regulatory framework introduced in 2021, Ofcom published the Telecoms Access Review – its new proposals on regulation of the wholesale broadband markets from 2026-2031 to boost competition and investment in full-fibre connections. Ofcom highlights that its proposals intend to promote competition and investment in high quality gigabit-capable networks. They add that, while huge strides have been made by industry to roll out full-fibre networks, further investment is needed to deliver high-quality services to all parts of the UK.  

On 28 March, Ofcom published updates to its plan of work for 2025/26 alongside outlines of how they will deliver against the plans over the next three years. The plans outlined a continued approach to fostering growth, competition and sustainable outcomes for consumers and the economy. 

Outlined priorities included: 

• “Internet and post we can rely on – protecting the interests of consumers and enable everyone to access fast and reliable networks and service; 
• Media we trust and value – ensuring audiences across the UK can continue to access a variety of broadcast and on-demand media and are protected against harmful content; 
• We live a safer life online –ensuring providers comply with their obligations to protect users, while continuing to implement the regime; and 
• Enabling wireless in the UK economy – ensuring spectrum remains an effective enabler for wireless communications and supporting growth across the economy.” 

On 2 April, Ofcom published new research exploring internet adoption and the effects of digital disadvantage. The report explores the effects on people who don’t have access to, or don’t use the internet at home, as well as the lived experience of people who may face unique challenges whilst using online services. The research explored how the digital divide has changed over the course of the past years as many people’s interaction with the internet has increased.  On the 22 April, Ofcom published new rules targeted at making the UK a world leading space in the protection of its residents from the malicious use of mobile networks. The announcement included the closure of technical loopholes that pose a risk to mobile users’ privacy and security. This includes the banning of leasing phone numbers known as ‘Global Titles’, which are used by criminals to intercept and divert calls and messages to obtain private information held by mobile networks. 

Industry News

On 22 April, which is also Earth Day, Virgin Media O2 announced that they have successfully cut Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 56% against their 2020 baseline. The announcement means that VMO2 are on course to meet their near-term Science Based Target goal of reducing operational (scope 1 & 2) emissions by 90% by 2030, which is another indication of the sector’s commitment to reaching net zero goals as well as a great step in VMO2’s overall ambition to achieve net zero emissions across its products, operations and supply chain by the end of 2040, which would see them achieving this goal 10 years ahead of the overarching UK net zero goal. 

On 15 April, Hughes Network Systems, a European managed network connectivity provider, announced a partnership with Eutelstat in order to utilise the OneWeb network to offer enhanced connectivity across Europe by integrating OneWeb LEO technology into its broadband portfolio. 

The Independent Networks Cooperative Association (INCA) released the 2025 update to their annual PointTopic report looking at the impact of alternative network provided gigabit connectivity across the UK. The study showed that coverage expanded by 27% in 2024 to over 16.4 million premises, with a predicted growth rate of reaching 18.6m in 2025.