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News

As well as news from INCA itself we are keen to include relevant news items from INCA members. Please send relevant items of news, ideally including a photo where relevant, to news@inca.coop. We'll publish news from members that we feel is of interest.

  • INCA is not surprised but is still disappointed with Ofcom’s decision today (Sept 30 2021). Our members are committed to meeting and surpassing the government’s targets for gigabit capable networks - so much so that £14bn of new investment has been brought into the sector to support this aim. Ofcom’s decision today puts that at risk and operators will now be seriously considering what steps to take next.

  • Over 2.5m homes and businesses in the UK can now connect to an independent fibre broadband network, according to new figures published today (7 June 2021). This represents over 110 per cent year-on-year growth and confirms the major contribution the ‘altnets’ are making to the Government's target for delivering national coverage of gigabit capable broadband. 

  • Gigabit Britain will only be built with the active involvement of the independent sector. Our forthcoming report, due next month, on the state of the sector will set out more about the level of market share that the 'altnets' are likely to take over the next few years, but it's clear that the race is on. For homes and businesses and public sector services to benefit from a competitive national broadband infrastructure, the scale and combined capabilities of the UK’s altnets – and the growing capital invested in them and their fast-expanding fibre and wireless networks – is critical. 

  • Altnet investment is desperately needed to hit government connectivity targets, yet the regulator’s market review statement dismissed the sector's concerns. Deployment of ‘full-fibre’ broadband could be delayed if independent providers and their investors believe that the regulator is not willing to listen to their concerns.

  • Following the recent apppointment of CityFibre's Head of Regulatory Affairs Alex Blowers to the role of Chair of INCA's Board, we're now pleased to publish this video interview with Alex, enabling him to set out what he sees as some of the key issues and priorities as we slowly begin to emerge from the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic.

  • The INCAP/oint Topic State of the Sector Survey 2021

    Each year INCA commissions Point Topic to survey the independent operators to assess investment, actual and planned network coverage, and important challenges the sector faces. As private investment by independent providers has steadily increased, with an estimated £8.8 billion being pumped into the independent gigabit broadband sector up to 2025, the focus of this year’s survey will be on how this investment will result in the scaling up of deployments and operations.

    Indeed, Scaling Up is a key theme for much of our work this year, and our event programme is designed to explore multiple facets around the scaling-up agenda.

  • Building Digital UK has launched a Public Review in Cumbria. Following an Open Market Review which took place late last year, BDUK is seeking views from the public and other stakeholders with regard to existing or planned commercial gigabit capable broadband in Cumbria.

    This consultation opens on 9th February and closes on 9th March 2021.

    As far as INCA is aware this is the first project announced as part of BDUK's UK Gigabit Programme.

    For further information and details on how to respond, go to www.gov.uk/government/consultations/uk-gigabit-programme-cumbria-public-review

  • Easier switching between broadband providers took a big step forward today as the regulator Ofcom published their statement in favour of “One Touch Switching” and the countdown to December 2022 for providers to become compliant with the new legislation.

  • INCA’s board has appointed Alex Blowers, CityFibre’s Director of Regulatory Affairs to be the association’s new Chair. Mr Blowers is undoubtedly one of the biggest hitters in policy and regulation in the sector and his appointment will add significant depth to INCA’s board.

    Alex BlowersMr Blowers said, “INCA is the only association focused specifically on the interests of the vibrant independent sector of companies building the UK’s new digital infrastructure. INCA members are set to play a major role in achieving the Government’s ambitious targets for national coverage of gigabit-capable networks by the end of the decade.”

  • Today’s (Friday Jan 8 2021) report by the Public Accounts Committee highlights the challenges involved in meeting the Government’s gigabit broadband ambitions. Replacing the copper phone network with the full fibre and high speed wireless infrastructure of the future is a big project requiring co-ordination between government, industry, local authorities and other stakeholders.

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