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Essex Nextgen Conference 21 st June 2011 Three Rivers Golf & Country Club. Councillor Rodney Bass Chairman, Essex County Council. ECC’s approach to universal superfast broadband. One size doesn’t fit all Philip Wilson – Policy Team. Overarching criteria. grass roots up
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Essex Nextgen Conference21st June 2011 Three Rivers Golf & Country Club. Councillor Rodney BassChairman, Essex County Council
ECC’s approach to universal superfast broadband One size doesn’t fit allPhilip Wilson – Policy Team
Overarching criteria • grass roots up • technologically agnostic • relies on competitive provision • adopts an holistic view of funding
As far as ECC is concerned it’s about; • the local economy and competitiveness • how local government can better deliver services on-line • how it benefits people and businesses in the county
it’s grass roots up… • pro-active local involvement • people demand and are entitled to choice • funding devolved to the lowest level possible
Technologically agnostic… • fixed line, mobile, radio or satellite • people demand and are entitled to choose • needs to be more than adequate for now and the future
adopts an holistic approach … • BDUKEuropean funding (ERDF, RDPE etc.) • industry investment • European Investment Bank and the institutional investor sector
adopts an holistic approach … • Local Authority Business Growth Incentives (LABGI) • s106 planning agreements • Community Infrastructure Levy • investment by private and public sector utilities (water, gas, street lighting etc. etc.)
applications for superfast broadband • economic development – bandwidth key to certain businesses • health/social inclusion/e-enablement – the human and actual cost of the e-divide • education and technology • smart metering & other technological apps.
Recent milestones • December 2010 – “Britain’s superfast broadband future published” • March 2011 - £530 million BDUK funding ‘til 2015. £300 million thereafter • Ongoing BT Openreach £1.4 billion investment over similar timescale • 13 April 2011 – Fujitsu announces major investment programme with Virgin Media, Talk Talk, Cisco • 31 April – ECC submits expression of interest to BDUK for August bid submission • 27 May – BDUK announces £50 million Wave 2 successful bids; Wiltshire, Norfolk, Devon & Somerset
The proposal – act locally - think national. • Any public investment will be spent on • carrier grade network, suitable for national content delivery • open access – but limited conditions can be attached • proven by public and business demand • technologically agnostic – provided it is sound
ECC’s role; • providing leadership and a central point of reference • applying for public sector funding streams direct (BDUK etc.) • providing a project board • where possible, allow access to PSN and other assets • providing a brokerage hub to attract private/institutional investment channel incoming funds to projects
Our vision; That Essex is a county where there is limitless broadband access for all in a competitive market environment