Delivering Better Broadband

Broadband Programme Update Broader Picture – Why is broadband important nationally? BDUK and DEFRA explained The Picture in Oxfordshire The questions on everyone’s mind

1.Are we close to signing a contract? 2.When is my broadband going to improve? 3.Am I part of the areas that are not getting ‘superfast’ broadband? 4.Should my community be applying for a bid to the Rural Community Broadband Fund or signing up with a company like Gigaclear? 5.Who is the supplier?

Why Broadband Investment? Issue Fast, reliable broadband internet access is essential for homes throughout the country to benefit from online services, and for UK businesses to compete globally. Gaps in Coverage Many rural areas receiving far lower speeds than cities and urban areas. National Investment Programme The national programme wants to achieve a transformation in our broadband access, with everyone in the UK able to access broadband speeds of at least 2 megabits per second (Mbps) and 90% of the UK receiving far greater speeds (at least 24Mbps).

Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK £530 million investment fund The fund is implemented across all authorities as separate projects of which Oxfordshire County Council is one. Each authority is on its own timeframe. Some projects have completed and some haven’t entered into negotiation

BDUK Programme in Oxfordshire

BDUK and DEFRA explained  BDUK the larger programme a national rollout Taking the national coverage to 90%  DEFRA’s Rural Community Broadband Fund Designed to compliment the larger investment Intended to address ‘the 10%’

What are we buying? Gap funding to address broadband market failure. The council will invest in a private sector network to secure an outcome (better broadband speeds) for ‘market failure’ areas. The council will not acquire an asset or become a broadband provider.

Without Intervention Districts/ coverage White % White GreyBlackTotal Cherwell17,49528%35,0849,94662,525 Oxford3,1185%24,84132,85660,815 South Oxfordshire 30,01950%23,9596,01559,993 Vale of White Horse 19,72837%18,77715,38853,893 West Oxfordshire 23,55549%17,3487,31248,215 Oxfordshire93,91533%120,00971,517285,441

Why don’t these areas have Broadband already? a lack of population density the physical distances from main connection points a low estimate of likely customers and demand by the market

Programme Objectives Significantly improve Oxfordshire’s broadband coverage Support the decommissioning of the Oxfordshire Community Network Through meeting these objectives the programme will: Support residential and business uptake of broadband provision Help residents and businesses understand the benefits of being digitally connected Support the development

1. Are we close to signing a contract?

2. When is my broadband going to improve? * * Dates are indicative

3. Am I part of the areas that are not getting ‘superfast’ broadband? 191,500 premises in Oxfordshire already receive ‘Superfast Broadband’ (>24Mbps) As a result of the programme… 65-70,000 premises will see their internet speeds rise to ‘Superfast Broadband’ 24-29,000 premises will receive between 2- 24Mbps

4. Should my community be applying for a bid to the Rural Community Broadband Fund or signing up with a company like Gigaclear? Advice is to ‘Wait and See’ the outcome of the County Council’s programme.

5. Who is the supplier?

Next Steps In the last stages of competitive dialogue Signed contract expected end of July early August 2013 Digging starts in January 2014 Completed roll-out by 2016