Pennine Lancashire
Digital Strategy
_____________________________
Steven Cochrane
Head of Strategy, PLACE
Why is Broadband important?
• The MAA recognised the importance of access to
broadband internet as a key priority for the sub-region.
• Many areas in Pennine Lancashire suffer from slow
broadband service with some areas not having any
access at all. (particularly in rural areas)
• Why is good access to broadband important?
–
–
–
–
A key utility for households and businesses
Compete in global economy
Interact in digital society (Social Inclusion)
Government services on-line
What is Next Generation Access?
• Next Generation Access (NGA) or “fast/ultra-fast
broadband”
– ‘fast’ broadband is defined as 30Mbit/s or above
– ‘ultra-fast’ broadband as 100Mbit/s or above.
• UK government has committed to a Universal Service
Commitment (USC) of all UK premises having 2Mbit/s by
2015, however EC Digital Agenda targets all EU citizens
receiving access to basic broadband by 2013.
• As such it is more pertinent for PLACE to focus its efforts
on delivering NGA as the USC speed is inadequate for
current let alone future need.
Different Technologies
• Fundamental principle is a technology-neutral
approach
• Requirements should be specified in terms of network
performance characteristics e.g. speed, contention etc
and the market should be allowed to specify appropriate
technologies to meet the requirements.
• The funding and roll-out figures have been calculated
using fibre technologies as these offer the quickest
speeds at present.
Different Fibre Technologies
Slowest Low cost
FTTC
100 / 10 Mbit/s
DOCSIS3.0
200 / 100 Mbit/s
FTTP
over 1000 / 1000 Mbit/s
Fastest High cost
Key
Fibre
Copper
Active electronics
Note: speeds are maximum download / upload
NGA technologies
Telephone exchange
ADSL
24 / 1.4 Mbit/s
Figure 2.1:
Overview of
different
broadband
technologies
[Source:
Analysys
Mason]
Development of the Strategy
• PLACE commissioned Analysys Mason to
produce a Digital Strategy for the sub-region.
• The process included:
– A review of local objectives, resources and
constraints through engagement with each LA and
public sector partners e.g. health
– An analysis of ‘do nothing’ scenario and gap analysis
– Modelling the estimated deployment costs
– Development of a strategic action plan
– Engagement, and testing of the action plan with
private sector suppliers including BT, Virgin, Ericsson,
Daisy communications etc
NGA is being deployed in PL
The map shows the
expected NGA coverage
of both Virgin Media and
BT Openreach in
Pennine Lancashire by
2015.
All major urban centres
are expected to receive
NGA coverage; however
there are large unserved
areas, particularly in
Ribble Valley.
Openreach estimated
coverage
Virgin Media coverage
Openreach & Virgin Media
estimated coverage
Virgin Media and Openreach expected NGA coverage [Source: Analysys Mason]
The ‘do-nothing’ scenario
•
If PLACE does not take action
to improve digital connectivity:
•
White - 16% of premises in
Pennine Lancashire are
unlikely to receive NGA
services before 2015
•
Grey - 36% of premises are
expected to receive NGA
supply from one operator
No NGA coverage
•
Black - 48% of premises are
expected to receive NGA
supply from two or more
operators
1 NGA operator
2+ NGA operators
Risk of ‘do-nothing’ approach
•
•
•
•
•
•
Non-universal coverage of NGA
Limited availability of FTTP
Slow deployment of NGA
Limited number of service providers
Below average take-up
Restrict economic growth
The Estimated Cost
FTTC / VDSL
(GBP)
FTTP using
GPON
(GBP)
FTTP using
PTP
(GBP)
1648
0.4m
2.7m
3.0m
0
0
0
0
Hyndburn
3262
1.2m
4.5m
5.4m
Pendle
7858
1.5m
6.3m
7.1m
20 888
6.1m
29.2m
33.2m
Rossendale
5848
1.6m
7.2m
8.4m
Pennine
Lancashire
39 504
10.8m
49.9m
57.1m
Area
Blackburn with
Darwen
Burnley
Ribble Valley
Premises
in ‘white’
areas
Estimated cost of deploying NGA in white areas [Source: Analysys Mason]
Action Plan - Demand
• Demand registration and aggregation, demand stimulation
and business support
• Marketing NGA to property developers and social
landlords
• Explore aggregating public sector demand and leveraging
network assets
• Develop NGA related skills in the sub-region
• Develop new models for online public service delivery
Action Plan - Supply
• Initiate and maintain dialogue with operators/service
providers to encourage investment
• Co-ordinate civil works for duct installation
• Incorporate NGA in planning permission process
• Direct public-sector investment in digital infrastructure
(should funding become available)
Next Steps
• Strategy implementation project set up – allocate
project lead
• Participate in the current and planned regulatory
and government consultations
• Coordinated response to BT’s Race to Infinity
• Continue dialogue with telecommunications
provides – including wireless operators
• Engage NHS on Wi-max pilot
• Initiate dialogue with BDUK, BIS and Regional
Partners