Barrier Busting Task Force

Transcription

1 Barrier Busting Task Force

2 Background Formed in October 2017 in response to Broadband Stakeholder 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.

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4 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

5 Access to Land and Sites Cost of Deployment Public Sector Assets Local Area Guidance/ Local Connectivity Group Planning regulations Digital Infrastructure Toolkit Streetworks Toolkit Wayleaves Toolkit Electronic Communications Code New Build Developments Regulated Duct and Pole Access Business Rates Relief Skills & Labour Access to Power Network sharing Alternative spectrum authorisation models Public sector spectrum release Access to Spectrum

6 Where we are now? Defining the Problem Understanding the context Collaborating (whilst persuading) Analysis and Evidence

7 Policy! Fix this! Defining the Problem Evidence. Ofcom data patience is a virtue Developers Not our problem?

8 Consumers have a view

9 Analysis and Evidence Arguments based on facts - critical 17,200 new build homes will not be able to access functional internet access at peak times without intervention Our research shows that our proposed policy will not impede the industry s ability to build new homes, in fact, they could absorb all costs and still be profitable

10 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.

11 Absentee landlords Scale 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.

12 Absentee landlords Option to legislate on wayleaves/access agreement reform outlined in the FTIR. Consultation to be released in soon...

13 BARRIER - Skills & 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 Skilled, low skilled and no skilled labour post Brexit.

14 Planning and the ECC Monitoring the implementation of reforms to the Electronic Communications Code (ECC): Series of roundtables investigating implementation and engagement with the reformed ECC. August joint 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.

15 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 Sector Assets Planning Policies and Processes Street Works Wayleaves

16 Street Works toolkit 70% of the cost of deployment lies in civils. Majority 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 Sheffield, Cambridgeshire, Wakefield, Somerset. Work on a Scotland version has started. 2nd version to be released in December 2018

17 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. Standardised 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

18 Next Steps Digital Connectivity Portal Online portal for local authorities & industry Best practice guidelines & recommendations Template Code Agreements for access to central and local government buildings Street 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