Barrier Busting Task Force
Background ▶ Formed in October 2017 in response to Broadband S takeholder Group report into barriers to deployment of infrastructure. ▶ Aim is to make it as cheap, quick and easy to deploy infrastructure as possible. ▶ Focus on legislative and non-legislative solutions which will impact nationwide.
What are the primary barriers to deployment of digital infrastructure? ▶ Access to land and sites for installing equipment ▶ Cost of deployment ▶ Access to spectrum for wireless networks
Access to Land and Sites Cost of Deployment Business Rates Relief Digital Infrastructure Toolkit Skills & Labour Streetworks Toolkit Public Sector Assets Wayleaves Toolkit Access to Power Electronic Communications Code Local Area Guidance/ Local Connectivity Group New Build Developments Regulated Duct and Pole Network sharing Access Planning regulations Alternative spectrum authorisation models Public sector spectrum release Access to Spectrum
● Where we are now? ● Defining the Problem ● Understanding the context ● Collaborating (whilst persuading) ● Analysis and Evidence
Defining the Problem ● Policy! Fix this! ● Evidence. Ofcom data… patience is a virtue ● Developers… Not our problem?
Consumers have a view…
Analysis and Evidence ● Arguments based on facts - critical ● 17,200 new build hom es w ill not be able to access ‘functional’ internet access at peak tim es w ithout intervention ● Our research show s that our proposed policy w ill not im pede the industry’s ability to build new hom es, in fact, they could absorb all costs and still be profitable
BARRIER - Operator access to properties ▶ Issue ▶ Operators require permission to deploy digital infrastructure within a property; ▶ In rented properties - for example multi-dwelling units (e.g. blocks of flats), business parks and office blocks - operators require the permission of the landlord; and ▶ Many landlords are not responding to requests from operators.
Absentee landlords ▶ S cale ▶ There are 1.75m private residential landlords ▶ c.29% of all commercial property is owned by overseas investors ▶ Using the Tribunal will take 9-12 months ▶ Industry claim the current regime may leave 2m households and businesses without new digital infrastructure.
Absentee landlords ▶ Option to legislate on wayleaves/ access agreement reform outlined in the FTIR. ▶ Consultation to be released in soon...
BARRIER - S kills & labour shortages ▶ Operators have been raising concerns regarding their labour supply and their skills pipeline. ▶ Twofold problem: ▶ Impact on migrant labour from Brexit. ▶ Existing lack of required skills and labour. ▶ Roundtable between industry, OGDs and rep. bodies held yesterday: ▶ Issues identified: ▶ Apprenticeships and level 2 & 3 qualifications not fit for purpose; and ▶ S killed, low skilled and ‘ no skilled’ labour post Brexit.
Planning and the ECC ▶ Monitoring the implementation of reforms to the Electronic Communications Code (ECC): ▶ S eries of roundtables investigating implementation and engagement with the reformed ECC. ▶ August j oint statement between MobileUK, CLA, RICS and DCMS . ▶ Log of cases brought under the new Code ▶ Improving access to central government sites: ▶ Digital Infrastructure Toolkit released with OGP alongside the FTIR. ▶ Working with MHCLG and industry to reform the planning regulations: ▶ Action agreed in the FTIR. ▶ Industry working with DCMS to build evidence base. ▶ Addressing issues such as mobile regulatory alignment and small cell/ mast deployment.
Local Connectivity Group ▶ This group has been developing best practice guidance which will form part of the Digital Connectivity Portal to support local areas and operators in facilitating the deployment of digital infrastructure under the following themes: ▶ Digital vision and leadership ▶ Access to Public S ector Assets ▶ Planning Policies and Processes ▶ S treet Works ▶ Wayleaves
Street Works toolkit ▶ 70% of the cost of deployment lies in civils. ▶ Maj ority of street works issues stem from lack of collaboration, pro-activity and common sense. ▶ Toolkit created from a series of roundtables between DCMS , industry, local authorities and representative bodies. Released alongside the FTIR. ▶ Currently being trialled across the UK: ▶ LAs include S heffield, Cambridgeshire, Wakefield, S omerset. ▶ Work on a S cotland version has started. ▶ 2nd version to be released in December 2018
Wayleaves toolkit ▶ Toolkit for Local Authorities with best practice advice on access agreements (wayleaves). ▶ Overview of current state of law, telecoms and utilities, explanation of ECC. ▶ S tandardised access agreements and tools in Annex. ▶ Rural connectivity. ▶ A successful digital local authority. ▶ Message: make it easy for everyone, and it’s in the local economic interest. ▶ Living document, part of online portal --> open to work with us. ▶ Get in touch: Benjamin Bilski
Next S teps Digital Connectivity Portal ▶ Online portal for local authorities & industry ▶ Best practice guidelines & recommendations ▶ Template Code Agreements for access to central and local government buildings ▶ S treet Works Toolkit ▶ Guidance on providing access to public sector assets ▶ Guidance on implementation of planning regs ▶ More toolkits planned! Coming soon ▶ Publish New Build Consultation ▶ Publish Wayleaves Consultation & Toolkit
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