Seminar Programme
Following the highly successful BSG/INCA Seminar in January on the Government’s Autumn Statement, our programme for the first half of 2017 includes:
Central Superfast Supplier Day - 22nd February, Flitwick
Announced earlier in the week, we have had a tremendous response to the invitation to the Central Superfast Supplier day involving Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes. The event will feature information about the £3.48m procurement opportunity and provide an opportunity for the local authorities to learn more about the altnets and their capabilities. Places are limited so please register here promptly if you plan to attend.
Bidding for BDUK Projects & the Better Broadband Scheme - 28th February, London
Altnets with a rural focus have an opportunity to win funding under BDUK schemes. £150m is available in current BDUK procurements, with another £400m of gainshare funding from the original BDUK contracts potentially available. Connection vouchers are offered under the Better Broadband Scheme. This workshop is designed to help Altnets get through the bidding maze. Participants will get guidance on how to win procurements, the value for money tests and how the Better Broadband scheme is working. Speakers include representatives from BDUK, INCA and from successful bidders. Workshop places are £150 plus VAT per person. Register here. Book for this event and the NGA Accreditation seminar below and get a reduction.
NGA Accreditation for Fixed Wireless Access providers - 1st March, London
Fixed wireless providers can face hurdles in demonstrating that their networks pass muster when it comes to NGA accreditation. Compliance is an issue that affects operators bidding for BDUK projects and others responding to Open Market Reviews. This seminar will explain the criteria, BDUK’s process, how operators can demonstrate compliance and help available through INCA. Seminar places are £150 plus VAT per person. Register here. Book for this event and the Bidding workshop above and get a reduction.
Shropshire, Fastershire, Telford Supplier Day - 29th March, Telford
Chris Taylor of Connecting Shropshire has asked us to publicise the forthcoming Supplier Day organised by Shropshire, Fastershire, Telford and Wrekin. For more information contact their team.
In the Pipeline
Access to Finance - the New Digital Infrastructure Investment Fund - March/April
This event will be your opportunity to meet the new fund managers of the Digital Infrastructure Investment Fund. Government is contributing £400m to the fund which we anticipate will be more than matched from private sector sources. More details soon.
Full Fibre and 5G - April
The Government’s new policy is to support the development of ‘full fibre’ (FTTP/H/B) and 5G networks. INCA’s members building both fibre and wireless networks are in a good position to benefit from funding for initiatives under this policy initiative. We are planning a seminar to explore what the new policy means, future funding and how altnets can benefit. More details soon.
Marketing for the Altnets: Beyond the Early Adopters - May
Many Altnets are expanding fast into new areas, others are focused on serving local needs. They use different technologies and a variety of business models. This short programme is being designed to help those involved in marketing and sales to learn from sector experts and each other to gain a better understanding of the overall market structure and successful strategies to attract and retain new customers. For information about the programme contact Lorne Mitchell.
Promote Your Brand - Sponsor INCA Events
We have a range of attractive opportunities available for companies that sponsor INCA events. Sponsorship helps keep participant costs down and gives you a platform with the growing, entrepreneurial altnet sector. For more information please contact Gill Williams.
Co-operative Projects
INCA Purchasing Platform
The first project we are actively exploring is the creation of an INCA Purchasing Platform. The aim is to bring together operators and suppliers on a platform that can improve efficiency and reduce the cost of network provision. The project was proposed last Autumn and we soft-tested the idea at INCA’s conference in October. We are setting up a test group to develop and pilot the project. If you are interested in getting involved please get in touch.
Software Defined Networks/Network Function Virtualisation
Some INCA members have started looking into SDN/NFV as a means of improving efficiency and reducing operating costs. Recently a major vendor in the sector Adtran has joined INCA. Huawei, an important supplier to the sector, is also active in this space. Late last year we were approached by Zeetta Networks, developers of the platform used by the Bristol is Open smart city project, keen to develop a dialogue with INCA members. We are keen to gather views from members and the wider industry.
Meanwhile Informa, the organisation behind Broadband World Forum, has been in touch to promote the fourth Network Virtualisation Europe conference, in Madrid, 29-31 May. The organisers are keen to encourage altnet participation and the conference is free to attend for operators. Vendors and other service providers will be able to attract a 25% discount through INCA. Let us know if you are interested.
Ask the Expert
There are plenty of first class experts in the INCA family capable of supporting members in the development of their businesses. We need to do more to highlight and signpost this expertise. We are planning to do this as part of a re-organisation of the INCA website under the Centre of Excellence banner.
OFCOM's Philip Marnick to Speak to INCA's Fixed Wireless Operators
Philip Marnick, Group Director of Spectrum at Ofcom has agreed to speak at the next meeting of INCA’s Special Interest Group for Fixed Wireless Operators on 7th March. This will be a great opportunity to press the case for better spectrum policy support for the sector.
Chaired by Andrew Glover of Air Broadband, INCA's Fixed Wireless SIG met in January. Topics discussed included the 5G element of the government’s strategy and what it means for existing operators; continuing problems with overbuild; the proposed USO; spectrum policy, particularly in the 5GHz and 3.6GHz bands. In general members took the view that more should be done for spectrum policy to support the efforts of fixed wireless operators - hence the invitation to Philip Marnick. For more information please get in touch.
A Full Policy Agenda Ahead
In January INCA’s Policy & Regulatory SIG, chaired by Mark Collins of CityFibre, discussed progress since we published the Building Gigabit Britain report. INCA members will remember that our report was followed by Matt Hancock’s very helpful speech at Broadband World Forum and INCA Conference. In turn this was followed by funding commitments in the Autumn Statement. INCA members have clearly had a significant impact on government thinking. Some of the policy implications were discussed at the joint BSG/INCA seminar in January. Here is a summary of some of the initiatives:
- During January DCMS consulted on Extending Local Full Fibre Broadband Networks. Further consultation is expected on the £740m fund for extending fibre coverage and 5G trials.
- Ofcom has consulted on Initial proposals to develop an effective PIA remedy.
- Ofcom has also consulted on spectrum awards of 2.3 & 3.4GHz bands.
- Government is consulting stakeholders on the Industrial Strategy, which includes digital infrastructure, open until April.
- The National Infrastructure Commission is looking into the costs of new network deployment and the use case for new fibre and wireless networks.
- A 5-year moratorium on business rates on new fibre deployment was announced in the Autumn Statement. Cityfibre is leading work with Altnets and the VOA to develop a new approach to rating networks.
- Still to come - we anticipate dialogue with DCMS officials and the ASA on steps to ensure customers get better information about the products they are buying.
It is a huge agenda, but one that presents great opportunities for the Altnet sector. If you want to get involved with this work please get in touch.
Join INCA
INCA exists to promote the interests of the UK's growing sector of independent fibre and wireless providers - the altnets. Membership is open to non-incumbent operators, vendors, community schemes, local authorities and consultants. Members help shape INCA's policy and gain attractive discounts when sponsoring or participating in events. For more information visit the Membership page of the INCA website, or contact Gill Williams.
Onwards and Upwards in 2017!
David Cullen, Chair and Malcolm Corbett, CEO
Independent Networks Co-operative Association
Tel: 0845 456 2433
info@inca.coop
www.inca.coop
