Viewpoint
The government has set ambitious broadband targets for the UK, but is it realistic, particularly in a post-pandemic economy?
The UK has long held ambitions of extending ‘gigabit-capable’ broadband across the country, including a plan to ensure every home and business had access these services by 2025. Indeed, in March, the announcement of the UK’s new budget saw a massive commitment of £5 billion towards bringing ‘gigabit-capable’ broadband to the hardest to reach areas in the country.
However, it will take more than just significant investment if this huge target is to be met.
“Making full fibre connectivity available across the UK in the shortest possible time frame is vital for our nation’s economic recovery and future prosperity. It starts by recognising the barriers that scale infrastructure builders like CityFibre face and effecting the changes needed for us to fully accelerate,” said Richard Thorpe, chief delivery officer at CityFibre.
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, connectivity has proved more vital than ever, but this realisation alone will not help to accelerate fibre deployment. As the nation recovers from the pandemic, barriers to greater fibre deployment need to be identified and removed if gigabit-broadband is to help lift the economy.
“We still have the dilemma of what to do about the ‘last 4%’ that don’t yet have superfast broadband. The COVID-19 lockdown has shown the massive importance of home broadband connections as a part of the UK’s economic resilience – everyone has to be able to connect,” said James Saunby, consulting director at Grey Sky Consulting.
Total Telecom’s free webinar Fibre Britain 2025: How the UK can overcome engineering and deployment challenges to deliver full fibre by 2025 will explore the many challenges to delivering on national broadband promises.
Learn from the expert panel, including:
– Dave Clarkson, Interim Group Director, Competition, Ofcom
– Matthew Hare, CEO, Zzoomm
– Richard Thorpe, Chief Delivery Officer, CityFibre
– (Moderator) James Saunby, Consulting Director, Grey Sky Consulting
The webinar will take place on Monday, June 8, 2020 2:00–3:00 PM BST. Register here for free now
