Infrastructure Action Plan Step Change 2015 Rest of Scotland ...

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Infrastructure Action Plan - Step Change 2015 

Rest of Scotland Procurement 

Public Consultation (Revised) Report 

8 March 2013

Contents 

Introduction ................................................................................................................ 2 

Purpose of this State Aid Public Consultation Report................................................. 2 

Public Consultation Response ................................................................................... 3 

Revised Mapping Methodology .................................................................................. 6 

Revised Intervention Maps ......................................................................................... 8 

Revised Premise Data by Local Authority ................................................................ 10 

Revised Intervention Area ........................................................................................ 12 

Next Steps ................................................................................................................ 13 

Further Information ................................................................................................... 13 

Step Change 2015 – Rest of Scotland Procurement – Public Consultation (Revised) Report 1

Introduction 

The Scottish Government issued a Public Consultation 1 into the eligible intervention 

area for investment of public funds into broadband infrastructure on 1 st October 

2012. The period of consultation closed on 28 th November 2012. A Public 

Consultation Report 2 was published on 3 rd January 2013, extending the period of 

consultation to 11 th January 2013. 

In January 2012, the Scottish Government published Scotland’s Digital Future – 

Infrastructure Action Plan 3 that set out how the Government will deliver its strategic 

targets up to 2020. Scotland’s Digital Future – Infrastructure Action Plan – Step 

Change 2015 – Procurement Plan 4 , published in May 2012, set out how the Scottish 

Government will procure the first step towards the 2020 targets. The procurement is 

split into two gap funded public sector interventions in the market – one in the 

Highlands and Islands and the other in the rest of Scotland. 

This Public Consultation is relevant to the “rest of Scotland” procurement. 

Details of the Highlands and Islands procurement can be found at: 

http://www.hie.co.uk/digital 

Purpose of this State Aid Public Consultation Report 

Under the European Commission’s State Aid guidelines, public sector intervention in 

broadband infrastructure investment is limited to those areas where there is no 

current or planned (within the next 3 years) commercial deployments, to avoid 

distorting what might otherwise be/become a competitive market. 

The Scottish Government carried out an Open Market Review of all current and 

planned infrastructure within the scope area in July 2012. The submitted data 

allowed us to produce a draft intervention area for the Public Consultation. 

The Public Consultation is now complete and this revised report sets out the 

responses to both the initial and extended periods of consultation and the actions 

that the Scottish Government has taken as a direct result of those responses. 

1 

2 

3 

4 

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/10/9941 





Public Consultation Response 

A total of nineteen responses were submitted, thirteen during the initial consultation 

period and a further six were submitted during the extended consultation period. 

Four responses asked to be treated in the strictest confidence. The table below 

summarises the responses and the actions that the Scottish Government has taken 

as a result. 

Response Responder Comment Resultant Action 

17.10.2012 CaleyCom Limited – 

Kinmuck Community 

CaleyCom currently 

provides broadband 

services to a number 

of premises within 

the Kinmuck 

Community, 

however does not 

deliver to sufficient 

numbers to affect 

the intervention 

area. 

No change to intervention area as a 

result of this response. 

12.11.2012 Elvanfoot Community Pioneer Project 

under Community 

Broadband Scotland 

to be aware of. 

Aspirational project at this stage 

with no known speed/coverage 

targets or pricing model. 

Liaison required between project 

teams. 



12.11.2012 Ewes Valley Community Pioneer Project 








teams. 

12.11.2012 Corgarff & Glenbuchat 

Community 

Pioneer Project 










teams. 





15.11.2012 Small World Cable Small World Cable 

has shared detailed 

coverage by 

postcode with the 

Scottish 

Government. 

The intervention area has been 

amended to reflect this new data. 

16.11.2012 Westfield & Bridgehouse 

Community Council 

Highlighting current 

broadband not/slow 

spot. Would like to 

highlight priority. 

May offer funding for 

community solution. 

Step Change 2015 aims to address 

all not/slow spots within scope. 

Response forwarded to West 

Lothian Council for consideration as 

part of their local uplift requirement, 

should they choose to contribute 

additional funding. 



26.11.2012 Almond Networks New network 

scheduled for 

deployment within 

next 3 years. 

Almond Networks 

has shared detailed 

coverage by 

postcode with the 

Scottish 

Government as well 

as financial 

investment details. 

26.11.2012 Netherburn Village Highlighting current 


spot. Suggestion 

that broadband 

infrastructure be 

rolled out at same 

time as proposed 

new gas 

infrastructure. 

28.11.2012 Confidential Response 1 Confidential 

Response 


Response 

At the time of writing, Almond 

Networks have yet to secure 

funding for their proposals. This 

created a risk that the targeted 

coverage may not be delivered. 

No change to intervention area at 

this time as a result of this 

response. 

During the implementation phase, 

the Project Team will liaise with 

Almond Networks and update the 

intervention area accordingly. 



Response forwarded to South 

Lanarkshire Council for 

consideration, should they choose 

to contribute additional funding. 




amended to reflect this response. 





28.11.2012 Aberdeenshire Council Expressed concern 

at the proposed 

intervention area for 

basic broadband in 

comparison to 

previous data. 

Expressed concern 

with regard to 

apparent Virgin 

Media coverage in 

the area. 

Expressed concern 

with regard to 

anecdotal evidence 

of coverage in some 

towns not reflected 

in the intervention 

area. 

Scottish Government replied 

directly to Aberdeenshire Council to 

address the points raised. 




Response 

7.12.2012 Louise Hardwick Highlighting current 


spot. 

Area is Bridge of 

Guar, Loch 

Rannoch. 


amended to reflect this response. 





9.1.2013 Bridge of Guar 

Community 

10.1.2013 Perth and Kinross 

Council 



spot. 

Submission included 

list of businesses 

and residents. 

Clarification 

requested on State 

Aid classification for 

Blairgowrie. 

Clarification 

requested on 

premises in black or 

grey postcodes 

receiving less than 

2Mbps. 





Blairgowrie classification is based 

on current data. It is likely that no 

public announcement has been 

made for this area by any supplier. 

The project can only invest in 

postcodes with a white classification 

in order to comply with State Aid 

regulations. This means that a small 

number of white premises will 

remain out of scope of the project if 

they fall within black or grey 

postcodes. 



10.1.2013 Blackness Area 

Community Council 


not/slow spot in the 

Blackness area and 

an eagerness to 

receive Next 

Generation 

Broadband. 



Community Broadband Scotland 

may be of interest to communities 

looking to accelerate better 

broadband for their area. More 

information available from 

www.scotland.gov.uk/digitalscotland 


Response 



11.1.2013 Callander Community 

Council 

12.1.2013 Smithstone Gate 

Residents Association 

Request for 

extension to 

deadline to allow 

response from 

Callendar 

Community Council. 


not/slow spot in the 

Smithstone Gate 

area and an 

eagerness to receive 

Next Generation 

Broadband in view 

of current rollout in 

the area. 

Extension agreed following 

discussion - no further submission 

received. 



Intervention Area based on current 

data submissions from suppliers. 

Revised Mapping Methodology 

As a result of the Public Consultation, the Scottish Government has revised its 

mapping methodology in order to maximise the number of white postcode areas 

against both Basic Broadband and Next Generation. This is to minimise the number 

of white premises out of scope of the procurement. 

The mapping is displayed using the European Commission’s geographic market 

definitions for broadband areas, which are classed as Basic Broadband Black, Grey 

or White areas and Next Generation Broadband Black, Grey or White areas. Both 

maps are presented by postcode area. 

Figure 1 shows the current and planned (3 years) provision of basic broadband 

(speeds in excess of 2Mbps) in the rest of Scotland while Figure 2 shows the current 

and planned provision of next generation broadband (speeds of at least 24Mbps). 

For the Basic Broadband map (figure 1), each postcode is turned Grey if greater 

than 90% of delivery points have access to connection speeds in excess of 2Mbps 

from any single provider. Postcodes are displayed as Black if greater than 90% of 

delivery points have access to connection speeds in excess of 2Mbps from more 

than one provider. All other postcodes are displayed White. 


For the Next Generation Broadband map (figure 2), each postcode is turned Grey if 

greater than 90% of delivery points have access to connection speeds in excess of 

24Mbps from any single provider. Postcodes are displayed as Black if greater than 

90% of delivery points have access to connection speeds in excess of 24Mbps from 

more than one provider. All other postcodes are displayed White. 

In areas where there is more than one supplier, the Scottish Government has 

assumed maximum overlap of coverage e.g. if supplier A covers 50% of premises 

and supplier B covers 70% of premises, the assumption is that 70% of premises are 

covered and therefore the postcode is displayed as white. This methodology allows 

us to maximise white postcode areas thereby minimising white premises out of 

scope. At the detailed survey stage of the implementation, the supplier will be 

expected to confirm actual coverage. 

Both maps are shown including a 10km “buffer” zone around the procurement area. 

While the Rest of Scotland procurement is intended to address broadband coverage 

within its geographic scope, it is recognised that some areas within scope will be 

served by infrastructure outwith the procurement boundary. 

The Scottish Government is working with neighbouring regions to ensure that the 

optimum solution for tackling areas of coverage that span the borders is achieved. 

The three projects are: 

• Step Change 2015 (Highlands and Islands) 

• Connecting Cumbria 

• iNorthumberland 


Revised Intervention Maps 

Figure 1: Current and Planned Basic Broadband Coverage. 


Figure 2: Current and Planned Next Generation Broadband Coverage. 


Revised Premise Data by Local Authority 

The following tables show the number of postcodes and premises within each local 

authority area and their status as illustrated in the maps above. 

Table 1: Basic Broadband Black/Grey/White Postcodes and Premises by 

Local Authority 

Basic Broadband 

by Local Authority 

Black 

Postcodes 

Premises in 

Black 

Postcodes 

Grey 

Postcodes 

Premises in 

Grey 

Postcodes 

White 

Postcodes 

Premises in 

White 

Postcodes 

White 

Premises in 

White 

Postcodes 

Aberdeen City 5,554 106,841 258 1,767 1,127 

Aberdeenshire 7,135 102,961 2,164 13,869 9,029 

Angus 371 6,113 3,084 48,342 380 2,496 1,521 

Argyll and Bute 946 11,954 45 250 117 

City of Edinburgh 7,260 143,932 4,868 103,583 361 1,882 1,507 

Clackmannanshire 1,229 24,328 40 338 176 

Dumfries and 

5,622 71,146 1,066 6,599 3,890 

Galloway 

Dundee City 2,920 56,966 1,274 19,805 68 279 253 

East Ayrshire 104 2,021 3,529 55,949 215 1,292 648 

East 

1,867 29,865 1,135 15,910 64 341 154 

Dunbartonshire 

East Lothian 1 1 2,773 45,791 154 1,592 869 

East Renfrewshire 1,178 20,258 1,086 17,669 95 697 343 

Falkirk 2,490 54,982 1,376 19,497 92 535 351 

Fife 2,160 50,914 7,113 124,648 437 3,256 1,934 

Glasgow City 4,115 98,428 10,335 214,287 498 3,095 2,286 

Inverclyde 1,009 21,027 1,153 18,347 80 418 225 

Midlothian 2,634 37,652 123 899 653 

North Ayrshire 646 13,264 2,992 51,412 134 631 431 

North Lanarkshire 4,207 99,545 3,135 54,678 220 1,747 1,245 

Perth and Kinross 922 20,150 3,541 47,899 712 5,490 3,337 

Renfrewshire 2,093 46,874 2,140 40,005 139 581 310 


Basic Broadband 

by Local Authority 

Black 

Postcodes 

Premises in 

Black 

Postcodes 

Grey 

Postcodes 

Premises in 

Grey 

Postcodes 

White 

Postcodes 

Premises in 

White 

Postcodes 

White 

Premises in 

White 

Postcodes 

Scottish Borders 3,812 55,453 528 4,896 2,470 

South Ayrshire 299 7,094 2,896 48,936 258 1,266 682 

South Lanarkshire 3,611 78,956 4,106 68,640 373 3,663 1,890 

Stirling 2,496 39,860 301 2,550 1,678 

West 

1,605 35,536 672 10,512 36 212 102 


West Lothian 1,024 27,760 2,637 50,044 180 1,806 1,337 

Total 37,882 813,686 89,273 1,506,149 9,021 62,447 38,565 

Table 2: Next Generation Broadband Black/Grey/White Postcodes and 

Premises by Local Authority 

NGB by Local 

Authority 

Black 

Postcodes 

Premises 

in Black 

Postcodes 

Grey 

Postcodes 

Premises 

in Grey 

Postcodes 

White 

Postcodes 

Premises 

in White 

Postcodes 

White 

Premises 

in White 

Postcodes 

Aberdeen City 3,616 74,818 2,196 33,790 31,156 

Aberdeenshire 1,391 27,187 7,908 89,643 87,384 

Angus 140 2,355 2,082 35,681 1,613 18,915 17,184 

Argyll and Bute 408 5,408 583 6,796 6,529 

City of Edinburgh 5,256 108,384 4,824 98,944 2,409 42,069 29,140 

Clackmannanshire 787 17,251 482 7,415 7,078 

Dumfries and 

1,234 19,308 5,454 58,437 57,476 

Galloway 

Dundee City 2,188 43,101 1,626 28,080 448 5,869 3,695 

East Ayrshire 61 1,123 1,969 33,644 1,818 24,495 22,992 

East 

511 8,652 1,630 24,057 925 13,407 10,816 


East Lothian 1 1 1,771 30,897 1,156 16,486 15,750 

East Renfrewshire 816 13,481 927 15,640 616 9,503 7,013 

Falkirk 1,726 38,771 1,411 25,537 821 10,706 8,871 

Fife 1,696 40,957 4,017 79,422 3,997 58,439 54,890 

Glasgow City 1,823 44,832 7,542 169,539 5,583 101,439 80,975 

Inverclyde 622 12,664 876 17,538 744 9,590 8,021 


NGB by Local 

Authority 

Black 

Postcodes 

Premises 

in Black 

Postcodes 

Grey 

Postcodes 

Premises 

in Grey 

Postcodes 

White 

Postcodes 

Premises 

in White 

Postcodes 

White 

Premises 

in White 

Postcodes 

Midlothian 2,011 29,131 746 9,420 8,196 

North Ayrshire 580 12,013 1,831 32,622 1,361 20,672 19,544 

North Lanarkshire 2,976 72,987 2,791 55,463 1,795 27,520 24,381 

Perth and Kinross 722 16,695 799 12,900 3,654 43,944 43,218 

Renfrewshire 1,125 24,100 1,658 37,232 1,589 26,128 20,715 

Scottish Borders 1,267 22,564 3,073 37,785 36,594 

South Ayrshire 267 6,029 1,633 32,010 1,553 19,257 17,951 

South Lanarkshire 2,298 52,132 3,623 66,451 2,169 32,676 27,772 

Stirling 1,345 24,365 1,452 18,045 17,353 

West 

579 13,027 1,305 26,173 429 7,060 4,471 


West Lothian 638 18,671 1,743 37,205 1,460 23,734 21,450 

Total 24,025 529,975 56,117 1,079,067 56,034 773,240 690,614 

Revised Intervention Area 

Using the criteria illustrated above, the total eligible premises for intervention are as 

follows: 

• Basic Broadband 38,565 in 9,021 postcode areas. 

• Next Generation Broadband 690,614 in 56,034 postcode areas. 

In the reference postcode dataset used by the Scottish Government (provided by 

National Records of Scotland), total delivery points do not in all cases equal the sum 

of total residential and non-residential delivery points. This is due to the estimation of 

multiple households served by a single delivery point in the Royal Mail postcode 

address file. Where this arises, it is recognised that the number of households 

seeking to access broadband services may exceed the total number of delivery point 

premises. It is assumed that where service can be delivered to a delivery point, it can 

be delivered to multiple premises within that delivery point. 


Next Steps 

The Scottish Government used the information in this report to define the 

Intervention Area in order to submit an application for State Approval to invest public 

funds into the deployment of broadband infrastructure within the Rest of Scotland 

area. 

Following approval, the Scottish Government issued an Invitation to Tender for the 

provision of broadband infrastructure with an expectation to award a contract in the 

first half of 2013. 

Further Information 

For further information on the project, visit our website: 

www.scotland.gov.uk/digitalscotland 

Alternatively, you can write to: 

The Broadband Delivery Team 

Step Change 2015 

The Scottish Government 

5 Atlantic Quay 

150 Broomielaw 

Glasgow 

G2 8LU 

Or email: digitalscotland@scotland.gsi.gov.uk 


. 

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ISBN: 978-1-78256-425-6 (web only) 

The Scottish Government 

St Andrew’s House 

Edinburgh 

EH1 3DG 

Produced for the Scottish Government by APS Group Scotland 

DPPAS13981 (03/13) 

Published by the Scottish Government, March 2013 

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