Superfast Broadband - Evidence - Parliament

Objective Designers – written evidence
Objective Designers – written evidence
Introduction
Objective Designers believes are four main areas that should be considered when seeking
the optimal path for the UK’s transition from the old copper networks (that have supported
the PSTN networks for nearly a century) to the new fibre-based networks (that will serve us
for the next 50-100 years). These are outlined below:
1. Designing Suitable Franchise Areas
The current BDUK approach has created default “franchise areas” for Superfast Broadband
using the geographic split of the 44 English Counties and the devolved administrations of
Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Whilst this might be a convenient political split, there are a number of disadvantages to this
approach:
The BDUK approach focuses on rural communities (the so-called “final third” or “final
ten percent”). There is another programme focusing on cities and yet another, with
DEFRA, which has a different process and agenda. These programmes all miss the point
that an effective local broadband plan should integrate the digital infrastructure of the
cities with the hinterlands that support them.
Many of the English Counties are sub-scale for non incumbent operators to bid to
upgrade the digital infrastructure in these areas. Ideally they would like larger blocks to
bid for in England. The RDA’s were, perhaps a good size - but have been dismantled.
The LEP’s are not, in themselves sufficient to do this job as there are areas without LEPs.
The mobile spectrum allocation is not included in the BDUK framework, nor are the
needs and capabilities of the major mobile operators which will play a major part in
providing Internet Access in the future.
The need to include the needs for businesses, consumers and the ever-important needs
for SOHO customers within the franchise area.
Many parts of the Public Service Networks that currently support the franchise areas are
on long-term contracts and are not included in the relevant broadband plans. This makes
the proposition even more unattractive to non-incumbent operators.
This lack of joined-up thinking goes further, with other departments promoting networks
that overlap (e.g. Smart Metering) as well as comparing investments in other
infrastructure projects (such as HS2) - where we believe the business case for a new
national digital infrastructure will provide a far greater return on investment than more
traditional physical infrastructure investments in roads and railways.
Recommendations
We need a better design for franchising and licensing the country’s NextGeneration Access
platforms. We need an holistic approach that encompasses:
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