Raj Mack reflects on the progress made in digital connectivity in Birmingham over the last 5 years, including the rollout of rural broadband through BDUK vouchers, the launch of 4G, and the rise of public Wi-Fi and faster broadband speeds. However, fiber coverage is still not ubiquitous and some businesses say affordable high-speed connectivity is still lacking. Over the next 5 years, 5G and small cell deployments are expected to expand while gigabit cities emerge. New opportunities from firms like CityFibre, Hyperoptic and fixed wireless operators are beginning, but gaps remain. Questions are raised on how best to tackle connectivity challenges in cities like Birmingham through potential state aid and facilitating new investment approaches.

1. Super-Connected and Super-Smart
Birmingham’s Digital Agenda -
Raj Mack – Head of Digital Birmingham

2. Some reflections

3. 5 Years
 5 years of evangelising about the importance of
better connectivity!
 5 years of pushing the boundaries to make
change happen!
 5 years of building for the future!
The future is already here!
…so what difference have we made?

4. The Last 5 Years
 BDUK Voucher scheme/Rural
superfast scheme
 The launch of 4G
 Local Authority - Small Cell
Concessions
 Public Wi-Fi Networks
 Fibre to the Cabinet /152mb Virgin
services

5. The Next 5 Years
 The launch of 5G
 Small Cell deployments
widespread
 The rise of the Gigabit City

6. So why aren’t we all celebrating?
 Fibre coverage isn’t yet ubiquitous.
 Businesses still say that they can’t access
affordable high speed connectivity
 Ofcom research - 85% SMEs say they are well
served by the communications market.

7. Some reflections
Vouchers Applications and Issued - An opportunity
• Key
• Purple – Applications
• Yellow – Vouchers
issues
• Pink commercial
areas

8. New opportunities are beginning to
emerge
 CityFibre –Gigabit Cities
 Hammersmith and Fulham – Duct Sharing
 Hyperoptic – MDUs
 Fixed Wireless Operators – Community Fibre
/Metronet
 ….but we still have gaps!

9. Some questions!
 How do we tackle the problems faced by cities
like Birmingham?
 Is there still a role for State Aid?
 What are the new approaches that will help us
secure investment?
 How is the public sector best placed to ‘facilitate’
that new investment?

10. Thank You- Enjoy the event!