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Building Gigabit Britain Report Launched

INCA launched our report Building Gigabit Britain on 8th September. In the report we highlight the role of the alternative networks operators - the Altnets - in delivering high speed superfast and ultrafast broadband services throughout the country. INCA members deliver fibre, wireless and satellite broadband and those building fibre networks now pass more than 650,000 premises with FTTP connections, twice as many as BT. However, the UK still lags behind many of our international competitors, a risk to future competitiveness.

We argue that extensive FTTP, with complementary wireless networks, is fundamental to the UK’s future success. Building Gigabit Britain presents a comprehensive overview of the benefits of investment in pure fibre networks, as well as comparisons between the performance of FTTP and other technologies, such as G.fast, concluding that wide-scale deployment of FTTP is necessary to deliver Gigabit Britain.

The report calls on government to set out a clear Gigabit Britain Strategy including a target for the majority of the UK to have access to FTTP connections by 2026 – we think that 80% FTTP coverage can be delivered competitively by the market in the next ten years. To support this target Building Gigabit Britain sets out a series of policy recommendations that will facilitate and remove barriers to investment.

The report and recommendations will be discussed at INCA's Conference on 19th October.  We are delighted that the minister Matt Hancock, MP will speak, alongside senior officials and industry leaders.

We welcome your feedback on the report - please send us any questions or comments.

INCA Conference 2016

INCA’s Conference ‘Building Gigabit Britain’ on 19th October is shaping up to be a great event. This year we are running the conference alongside the Broadband World Forum at the Excel Centre in London. In addition to Matt Hancock MP, conference speakers include head of BDUK Chris Townsend, Clive Selley CEO of Openreach, Anna Krzyzanowska of the European Commission, Chi Onwurah MP, Zoe Laird of Community Broadband Scotland, along with senior figures from the Altnets including Dana Tobak, Mark Collins, Kate Rennicks, Roy Shelton, Barry Forde, Matthew Hare and many others. We anticipate a full house with a vibrant and engaged audience debating the issues. Register today to secure your place.

The Altnets are rapidly becoming the ‘third competitor’ in digital infrastructure, providing tremendous benefits to the communities they serve. INCA's conference is a great opportunity to showcase your organisation and we still have a few sponsorship opportunities available - contact Gill for details.

Participants in INCA's Conference benefit from free access to the Broadband World Forum exhibition and discounted access to BBWF conference sessions. Use INCABBWF16 discount code when registering for BBWF.

Calling Wireless Operators

First Meeting of INCA's Wireless Special Interest Group

While it is true that INCA's Building Gigabit Britain report focuses on future fixed line provision many of INCA’s members offer great wireless broadband services, in both rural and urban areas. Serious efforts have been expended to get their work recognised by central and local government with notable successes through the Connection Voucher scheme, BDUK innovation pilots and some of the BDUK rural procurements.

To get to grips with issues of common concern, INCA’s board - which includes reps from several FWA providers - decided to set up a Wireless Special Interest Group. The kick-off meeting takes place at the Relish offices (UKB), Grays Inn Road, London on 21st September. Chaired by Andrew Glover of Air Broadband the meeting will discuss key topics for the sector and develop a work programme. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact Gill.

BDUK News

At INCA’s Lancashire Roadshow event on 14th September Jamie Potter of BDUK discussed changes to the ‘Better Broadband Scheme’ which was set up to give subsidised access to satellite broadband. This has been extended to include any supplier on a technology neutral basis. With an eye to the USO commitment of 10Mbps services he emphasised that BDUK want to take superfast broadband as far as possible. We think that makes a lot of sense.

In relation to the current round of local authority procurements INCA members are being encourage to bid for contracts. The BDUK Contract Templates have been updated following comments from suppliers and posted here.

European Digital Single Market

The European Commission has published its plan for the EU Digital Single Market. It includes a new European Electronic Communications Code, common EU broadband targets, co-operation to develop 5G and support for public authorities offering free wifi access in and around public buildings. The broadband target specifies that by 2025 public sector organisations and "digitally intensive” businesses should have access to 1Gbps upload/download speeds and that all European households, urban and rural should have access to 100Mbps download speeds, which can be upgraded to 1 Gbps. In addition the Commission proposes that all urban areas, major roads and railways should have 5G wireless coverage. With Brexit looming it is unclear the extent to which the UK will adopt these targets (if at all), but INCA’s Building Gigabit Britain report certainly reflects some of these ambitions.

Local Procurements

Northamptonshire has announced its Stage 3 OJEU procurement. You can find out all the details by registering to the Due North Procurement Portal. Then by following ‘Find Opportunities’, ‘LGSS’ as the Organisation and entering ‘Superfast Northamptonshire Stage 3’ into the Key Words. For more information contact the ever helpful Ross Griffin, Superfast Northamptonshire Project Manager.

Worcestershire has contacted INCA with their Open Market Review announcement. The purpose of the Open Market Review is to review and understand what the private sector companies are doing in terms of investing in the broadband infrastructure and where, in the absence of private sector investment, the deployment of additional broadband network should be focused.

Details have been published on their website and Facebook page. Responses and queries should be sent to Stephen Ashton, Senior Project Manager, Strategic Change Team, Worcestershire County Council.

West Sussex Voucher Scheme

INCA is working with the Rural West Sussex Partnership to promote their Connection Voucher scheme for small businesses. Suppliers with a footprint in the area who want to get involved should register on the Provider Directory. The voucher scheme will run until 1st February 2017, or until the funds have been fully allocated.

Please let us know if you are planning a local superfast procurement project, we are keen to publicise your project to INCA member businesses.

Fluidata and Sky Announce Wholesale Deal

Congratulations to business connectivity provider Fluidata and Sky Network Services who have announced a wholesale deal utilising Sky’s network to offer high capacity ethernet connections for businesses throughout the UK. The arrangement leverages Sky's national data network and Fluidata's extensive experience in business communications.

Piers Daniell, Managing Director of Fluidata said: “Customers choosing to commit to long term high capacity connections strengthen the growth potential in their businesses. It is only through Sky’s significant investment in the consumer market that we can push 1 Gb/s connections as standard and ensure customer connectivity is truly future-proof.”

Graham Sargood, Sky’s Director of Telecoms Wholesale said: “This is an exciting opportunity to work with Fluidata to deliver a brand new service to the UK marketplace.

Our investment in our telecoms infrastructure to deliver voice, video and data services to our residential customer base will enable us to use this highly resilient national network to also serve the business marketplace with an ability to reach over 95% of businesses in the UK. Fluidata is the ideal partner to begin these services with.”

Reading to Become Next CityFibre Gigabit City

CityFibre has announced plans for Reading to become its next Gigabit City project starting with a 30km fibre network initially to connect local businesses and public sector sites. Local ISP BtL is partnering in the project, the latest in a series of business-focused ISPs working with CityFibre.

CityFibre CEO Greg Mesch said, “We’re delighted to announce Reading as our newest Gigabit City project and proud to be working alongside BtL to bring it to life for businesses. Our network is designed to accommodate Reading’s current and future digital needs, from connecting public sector sites, schools and hospitals to powering the masts and small cells needed to deliver 4G and even 5G mobile coverage. Connecting businesses large and small is only the first step in Reading’s Gigabit City journey.”

CityFibre has ambitions to develop 90 gigabit city projects in the coming years.

Join INCA

INCA's team is working hard to make real change in the UK market for next generation digital infrastructure. Working together means we make a difference. If your organisation is not yet a member of INCA we really want you on board and now is the time to join. If you have any questions please contact Gill.Williams@inca.coop or Malcolm.Corbett@inca.coop, we will be happy to help.

David Cullen, Chair and Malcolm Corbett, CEO
Independent Networks Cooperative Association
Tel: 0845 456 2433

info@inca.coop

www.inca.coop