Pennine LancashireDigital Strategy

_____________________________

Steven CochraneHead 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

FibreCopperActive electronics

Key

Te

lep

ho

ne

exch

an

ge

ADSL24 / 1.4 Mbit/s

FTTC

100 / 10 Mbit/s

FTTPover 1000 / 1000 Mbit/s

DOCSIS3.0

200 / 100 Mbit/s

Note: speeds are maximum download / upload

FibreCopperActive electronics

Key

Te

lep

ho

ne

exch

an

ge

ADSL24 / 1.4 Mbit/s

FTTC

100 / 10 Mbit/s

FTTPover 1000 / 1000 Mbit/s

DOCSIS3.0

200 / 100 Mbit/s

Note: speeds are maximum download / upload

NG

A t

echn

olo

gie

s

Figure 2.1: Overview of different broadband technologies [Source: Analysys Mason]

Slowest

Fastest High cost

Low cost

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

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]

NGA is being deployed in PL

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

• Black - 48% of premises are expected to receive NGA supply from two or more operators

No NGA coverage

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

Area Premises in ‘white’

areas

FTTC / VDSL(GBP)

FTTP using GPON(GBP)

FTTP using PTP

(GBP)

Blackburn with Darwen

1648 0.4m 2.7m 3.0m

Burnley 0 0 0 0

Hyndburn 3262 1.2m 4.5m 5.4m

Pendle 7858 1.5m 6.3m 7.1m

Ribble Valley 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

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