A recent report Britain’s Digital Opportunity commissioned by Lloyds Banking Group reveals some significant new figures on the challenges and attitudes of SMEs harnessing the benefits that come from online connectivity. (more…)
Today the Broadband Stakeholder Group issues its response to the recent DCMS Consultation on Broadband Siting requirements which closes this Wednesday 13 March. (more…)
“Connectivity, Consumers + Competition??? – that’s what Ed Vaizey MP described as his approach to the converging media environment in evidence to the Lords Select Committee on Communications last month, and that was certainly felt in the world of broadband. (more…)
In honour of International Women’s Day today (8 March 2013), here is a quick nod to eight of the top women in the UK Broadband scene today.
**Update 14 March 2013** (more…)
Ofcom released the first European Broadband Scorecard earlier today. The scorecard looks at the coverage, take-up, usage, price and choice of fixed and mobile broadband services in the UK, relative to other European countries. (more…)
Ofcom today announced the winners of its 4G spectrum auction, with Everything Everywhere; Hutchison 3G UK; Niche Spectrum Ventures, a BT subsidiary; Telefónica (O2); and Vodafone, emerging as winning bidders.
In 50 rounds of bidding, a total of 250MHz of spectrum was auctioned in the 800MHz and 2.6GHz bands. It is thought that the combination of the two bands will allow networks to deal with concentrated demand in urban areas as well as provide widespread network coverage. (more…)
In the latest instalment of The Institute of Directors’ Infrastructure for Business surveys looks at views on fixed-line and mobile internet services for over 1,100 businesses. Survey questions mainly look at speed satisfaction rates, and there are a number of useful insights into the growing digital divide between urban and rural areas. (more…)
Yesterday, BT announced it will add another 1.2million homes and businesses to its fibre footprint as part of its target of reaching two thirds of UK premises during Spring 2014. The announcement marks the latest phase of its £2.5 billion commercial fibre roll-out strategy.
A new study from The Forum for Private Business shows that broadband speed is a key issue for one in four businesses when asked what support they needed to make technology work more effectively. (more…)
Last Friday saw the conclusion of EU budget negotiations, and as a result the proposed Connecting Europe Facility budget was reduced from €9.2bn to €1bn.
Our CEO, Pamela Learmonth, has responded to this announcement commenting:
“Broadband connectivity is vital to Europe’s future, and in tough economic times the ongoing challenge is to make the best use of resources. The reduction in proposed budget may initially provoke disappointment from some but the EU budget of EUR 1 billion is still a new investment in support of digital services and must also be seen as part of a larger sum of funding across European member states. (more…)
Last week saw the launch of the DCMS Consultation on the proposal that, for five years, broadband street cabinets and new poles can be installed under permitted development rights in any location (except SSSIs) without the need for prior approval from local planning authorities. The full Consultation document can be found here.
The timing comes as the delivery of the Government’s ambition to have the best superfast network in Europe by 2015 rolls on. The consultation cites that for any one location it is expected that superfast broadband could create between £143 million and £19.8 billion in additional GVA, and we’ll certainly be keeping a close eye on this. (more…)
Its the 10th Safer Internet Day today, organised by Insafe each year to promote more responsible use of online technology. It’s a useful initiative aimed at helping parents and carers – particularly those who may be lacking in tech skills – start a conversation with their children with their online behaviours and how to stay safe.
The initiative bring a timely and sensible focus on getting parents and carers think realistically about the conversations they are having with their children about going online; a welcome bit of common sense and practical advice in a debate that can, understandably so, become quickly emotive. (more…)
Capitalising on UK broadband: exploiting the potential benefits
30 January 2013
Today the UK’s leading independent advisory body on broadband, the Broadband Stakeholder Group (BSG) publishes its 2013 work programme.
The programme puts the issue of usage of broadband at its heart and focuses on the key question of how broadband infrastructure can be best exploited for socioeconomic benefit to the UK. (more…)
Hello and welcome to the new-look BSG website. This is the first of a series of monthly updates from me, giving the broadband community an overview of latest developments and trends in the industry whilst looking at those issues on the horizon for this year and beyond.
2013 is set to be a huge year for the broadband policy scene – how do we get fit for purpose infrastructure? What lessons can we learn from demand, take-up and usage? Where should the industry look for new opportunities on the operation and innovation of broadband-enabled services and an evolving regulatory environment? With the rollout of BDUK, 4G auction excitement, a forthcoming Communications White Paper, the weighing up of spectrum issues across the world and debates on universality and digital inclusion rumbling on, 2013 is set to be a big one. (more…)
