Next Gen Broadband

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A Clear Direction

“…Our goal is simple: within this parliament we want Britain to have the best superfast broadband network in Europe.”

Jeremy Hunt,

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

Broadband makes the internet work. The UK has had near universal access to broadband for a while, but nothing stands still. Ensuring the effective delivery of the next generation of broadband networks in the UK is now an essential part of ensuring our economic future.

Broadband not-spots

As the Next Generation of broadband access is rolled out to bring high speed services to the UK, we need to make sure that everyone enjoys the benefits that it will bring. This is a massive undertaking, with different areas starting from very different positions. GreySky is supporting a range of different initiatives to ensure the maximum benefit from the new technology.

Rural problems

“The lack of access to high-speed broadband is putting many of those who work in rural communities at a severe disadvantage.”

HRH The Prince of Wales, October 2009

Although broadband has been widely available for many years, there are still rural communities throughout the UK without any broadband access. As the new generation of high speed broadband access is rolled out in towns, rural areas have to address the problems of delivering high speed services in rural areas, as well as addressing the current “not-spots” without any broadband access. This is an essential part of ensuring the future economic viability of rural communities.

Of course, not everyone agrees with the urgent priority of broadband in rural areas. GreySky’s Consulting Director was recently involved in a debate sponsored by BT and suggested that broadband rollout in rural areas should be prioritised...

“James said it was more important to get [broadband] into rural areas than urban areas, and that’s barking - absolutely barking!”

Mark Elliott, CEO DigitalCity, July 2010

Read the full BQ Live debate...

More on rural broadband...

Mobile broadband

The auction of the 4G spectrum for the latest mobile broadband is now receiving a lot of attention. But many rural areas are yet to get 3G or even basic 2G voice services. Ofcom’s plans for the spectrum include a geographic coverage obligation to reach 95% of the UK population - but is this enough, and will it work. GreySky was asked to comment to the Culture, Media and Sport select committee on the suitability of Ofcom’s plans for rural areas. Our analysis suggested a strong basic approach, but some serious concerns about how robust it will be in operation.

Read the full report...

Urban not-spots

Although there is a concern that the new high speed broadband services may not be rolled out in rural areas, there are also many urban areas that are likely to miss out. GreySky is involved to make sure that city regions have a complete broadband infrastructure, supporting economic develop across the whole city, not just parts of it.

Changing lives

Broadband is already essential to many people, and it’s impact is just starting to develop. It’s vital that everyone is able to benefit from the transformation that many people now take for granted. But there are still people who have not yet taken the step and “gone online”. GreySky is supporting Race Online 2012 to help create a 100% networked UK.

Go to the Race Online 2012 site...

Transforming business

Broadband has the power to transform business, but the applications it enables have to be integrated into the business for the real benefit to be delivered. The integration of IT enabled processes is a vital characteristic of successful growth businesses - whether it’s finance, marketing or collaboration.

The next generation of broadband services will empower a far greater number of businesses to benefit from advanced IT applications. Supporting the access, use and integration of transformational IT applications is a vital element of ensuring the success of next generation broadband deployments.