The document summarizes Berkshire's efforts to expand broadband access through two phases. Phase 1 used public funds and BT to increase superfast coverage to over 90% in urban areas and over 80% in rural areas. Phase 2 took a more competitive approach, engaging various internet providers and running an OJEU procurement for multiple lots. This resulted in contracts with Gigaclear and Call Flow Solutions to cover 97% of Berkshire with superfast broadband by 2017. The process took significant effort but achieved a good outcome with a mix of solutions and providers.

1. Superfast Berkshire
INCA – Transform Digital Conference - Bristol
16th
September 2015
Colin Batchelor

2.  Berkshire is relatively small, 6 unitary authorities + LEP, mixed geography
 Phase 1 BDUK Framework / BT + Extension (RCBF/BDUK)
 Public subsidy £4.6m / 20,000 superfast premises (lottery)
3 Urban districts 90-95%  95% +
2 Semi Rural districts 85-90%  90-95%
1 Rural district 65%  83%
Context & Background
 Phase 2 - District appetite / funding varied (individual investment)
1 Urban districts £380k
2 Semi Rural districts £415k / £615k
1 Rural district £3.7m
 Overall aspiration for 95% superfast across each districts

3.  Who did we initially engage
o BT
o A range of ‘alternative suppliers’ (selected from INCA exposure)
o Gigaclear and Hyperoptic (FTTP)
o Call Flow and Warwicknet (Hybrids)
o UK Broadband, AB Internet, Airband (Fixed Wireless)
 Confidential Discussions
o Testing the market – is there an appetite ?
o Our requirements, their solutions, opportunities, views on tender approach
o Commercial plans, level of interest, capability and resources
o State Aid requirements / constraints
Engage with the market

4.  Why OJEU
o BT’s indicative modelling for 95% superfast coverage
o Experience from RCBF procurement
 Requirements / Remaining Intervention area
o Different district geography likely to attract / need different solutions
o District funds to provide coverage for that district
o Maximise superfast coverage, no priorities
 Procurement / Contract
o Restricted tender through a PQQ (reduce our workload) – 6 responses
o Based on BDUK framework documentation
o Individual lots – suppliers bid for one or more
o Timescales – it took 6 months (Contract notice – Contract award)
Procurement Approach

5. Phase 2 Lot areas
 4 West Berkshire lots split by (A34/M4)
 7 individual lots area plus 1 ‘super lot’ (combination of 4 West Berkshire lots)
 Bracknell and Slough declined as already above 95% Superfast

6.  Outcome
o Bids from 3 suppliers (not BT), all lot areas covered
o Gigaclear won West Berkshire – 100% coverage / 20% State Aid
o Call Flow Solutions won 3 lots in the East – 7,000 premises
o Incomplete State Aid approval in 2 lot areas with fixed wireless by 30th
June
 Did it work ?
o Hard work with a small team, worth the effort, positive relationship with all
o Mix of solutions and suppliers – wider coverage and competition
o Excellent result for Berkshire - 97% superfast and have ‘100% in sights’
o Considerable pressure to revert to BDUK framework
o Share resources with other counties, get a grip on coverage data
Outcome and lessons

7. Anticipated Coverage by end 2017
 Further Commercial deployment planned
 Funding released from Phase 1  fill in the gaps (white & some blue)