Author - bsg

04 Mar 2010

BSG calls for evidence from industry to revise fibre cost model

BSG is calling for evidence and data from the industry that would assist it in revising the fibre cost model, published in September 2008 as an input to the Caio Review.

BSG wishes to test whether the underlying assumptions and conclusions regarding costs set out in the report are still valid, or whether they should be revised in light of industry developments. This will inform its response to the government’s Next Generation Fund consultation. (more…)

By Read more...
25 Jan 2010

The COTS Project – Progress

A ‘Progress Meeting’, open to all stakeholders, was held. This provided an opportunity for the steering group to discuss their work and progress with industry, and for stakeholders to provide feedback and input. At this meeting, Ofcom and CSMG presented their recently-published report into BtB interfaces in an NGA environment. The minutes and presentations are available below.

Minutes of the progress meeting, 25 January 2010

CSMG for Ofcom – BtB interfaces: Meeting the needs of NGA – full report

Presentation from Antony Walker, BSG and Huw Saunders, Geo/KCOM

Presentation from CSMG & Ofcom – BtB interfaces: Meeting the needs of NGA

 

By Read more...
15 Jan 2010

AT&T propose PSTN phase out

A guest post from Brian Williamson of Plum Consulting.

The June 2008 report by Plum Consulting and the BSG set out a “Framework for evaluating the value of next generation broadband”. One of the six recommendations of the report was that,

“Realising the full value of next generation broadband depends on the extent of transformation of other markets. In considering the private and wider value of next generation broadband, and potential regulatory and public policy barriers to next generation broadband, other platforms and markets should be considered including spectrum, broadcasting, mobile and copper networks.

In particular, the costs and benefits of copper network retirement alongside fibre rollout, and the policy and regulatory environment required, should be considered.??? (more…)

By Read more...
12 Jan 2010

BSG responds to DCMS product placement consultation

The BSG has responded to the DCMS consultation on whether or not to allow product placement on television.

The BSG supports the introduction of product placement in the UK. As traditional ad revenues and business models come under challenge as the result of the convergence of digital media, it is important that the industry can explore the potential commercial benefit of product placement to ensure sustained investment in content.

The BSG recognises the concern that any introduction of product placement does not lead to negative outcomes for consumers. However we believe the protections required of the Audiovisual Media Services (AVMS) Directive, which allows the UK to permit product placement for some types of programmes, will be sufficient to ensure that consumers are protected and are armed with the information they need to make informed choices.

BSG response to DCMS consultation on product placement

By Read more...
04 Dec 2009

BSG responds to overhead deployment of telecoms cables consultation

BSG today submitted its response to the government’s consultation on overhead deployment of telecommunications cables. The key points from the response are:

  • Permitting new overhead distribution could have a significant impact on the investment case in some locations; however, it is unlikely to be a panacea for rural deployment.
  • Due to a number of factors, it is unlikely that increased aerial deployment would be beneficial in urban areas; it is likely that the benefit would predominantly be for rural deployments.
  • In terms of the impact on the ‘final third’, indicative analysis suggests that up to 1m homes could be brought into the market-led first two-thirds of homes.
  • Visual amenity is an issue that should be considered; however, government will need to consider the trade-off between improved communications infrastructure and the impact on the visual amenity of a locality.
  • Access to existing infrastructure that can support aerial deployment should also be considered by government as part of this exercise.

BSG response to BIS consultation on overhead deployment of telecoms cables

BIS consultation on overhead deployment of telecoms cables

By Read more...
04 Dec 2009

The COTs Project – Progress

The forum met on 04 December, where the steering group reported back on its thinking to date. The group discussed the long list, presented at the previous steering group, and considered the two requirements documents reflecting the views of service providers and access infrastructure providers. Documentation is below.

The forum agreed that the next step would be for the steering group to consider the requirements of an aggregator, to meet the needs of both ISPs and access infrastructure providers. In addition, the forum agreed that this would be a sensible point for the project to report back to the wider COTS stakeholder community, to gather feedback and comments on the proposed approach.

Minutes of the forum meeting, 04 December 2009

The ‘Long List’

ISP requirements

Access infrastructure provider requirements

By Read more...
20 Nov 2009

COTS issues coming to the fore

I spent Monday and Tuesday at CBN’s NextGen 09 conference in Leeds. The conference was well worth the trip, with a series of interesting presentations from excellent speakers interspersed with useful and relevant workshops.

What I found particularly interesting, however, was the number of speakers that referenced issues that the COTS Project is seeking to address. In the Digital Region workshop on Monday Graeme Dent discussed the engagement that South Yorkshire had been having with ISPs to date; this was followed on Tuesday by Stephen Timms talking about the importance of local projects, but also the need to ensure that these investments do not lead to stranded assets, and directly referencing the COTS project and the role of INCA. (more…)

By Read more...
05 Nov 2009

The COTS Project – Progress

The smaller steering group met for the first time on 05 November. The group discussed the structure and composition of the steering group and forum, as well as the ‘long list’ of issues facing independent local open access networks and where COTS intends to be active amongst these. A conversation was then held regarding a list of generic ISP requirements from a COTS solution, tabled by Sky and TalkTalk.

The steering group agreed that a working group of infrastructure providers should meet to develop an alternative set of requirements. This took place on 26 November.

Minutes of the steering group meeting, 05 November 2009

The ‘Long List’ of issues facing independent local open access networks, and where COTS intends to be active

ISP requirements

By Read more...
21 Sep 2009

COTS project Steering Group meeing

The COTS Project held its first steering group meeting on 21 September.

The steering group is made up of representatives from the following organisations:

  • BIS
  • BSG
  • BT
  • Cable and Wireless
  • CBN/INCA
  • Fibrestream
  • Geo Networks
  • H2O Networks
  • IFNL
  • Industria/Quintain
  • KCOM
  • Scottish and Southern Energy/FCS
  • Sky
  • TalkTalk Group
  • Thales

At this meeting, the group considered the objective and guiding principles of the project, along with the governance arrangements to underpin the work. There was also a discussion of the Active Line Access standardisation work, led by Chris Gallon of NICC. Documentation is below.

By Read more...
11 Sep 2009

BSG responds to additional BBC Trust Canvas consultation

BSG has submitted a response to the BBC Trust’s second consultation on Project Canvas, following the publication of further information regarding the project over the summer.

The response highlights that Canvas would have a significant impact on the UK communications market as a whole; BSG can envisage a range of both positive and negative scenarios for this impact. Therefore, the BBC Trust should be aware of the broader commercial environment in which Canvas is being proposed and the issues that will inform companies’ commercial strategies and reactions to Canvas. (more…)

By Read more...
25 Aug 2009

Additional COTS kick-off meeting in Hull

Due to the high levels of interest in the COTS Project, we have decided to run an additional kick-off meeting.

This meeting, in Hull on 03 September, will provide those stakeholders that were unable to participate at the first meeting an opportunity to give their views on COTS. It will also be possible to participate remotely: for more information please contact us.

We have had considerable feedback from stakeholders since the kick-off meeting in July, but remain keen to hear further from anyone with an interest in the work. To give us your thoughts, either drop us an email or comment on this blog.

Peter Shearman, Policy Manager, BSG

By Read more...