This document discusses Birmingham's transformation into a digitally connected city through establishing broadband connectivity. It outlines Birmingham's history as an industrial powerhouse and vision to now become a digital powerhouse. It discusses past approaches to improving connectivity through voucher schemes that lacked sustainability and world-class standards. The document proposes establishing an internet peering point and smart city commission to develop an action plan and roadmap for delivering a smart connected city, underscoring the importance of connectivity for businesses and citizens. It warns of mediocrity if digital services lag behind other countries and industries are lost without proper broadband infrastructure investments.

1. Welcome to Birmingham
The long and narrowing road to connectivity
Raj Mack,
Head of Digital Birmingham
30/04/2013

2. Birmingham 1831
Powerhouse of The Industrial Revolution.
Birmingham 2031
Powerhouse of The Digital Revolution.
 Renowned as an enterprising,
innovative and green city.
 A city transformed through change
 Enjoying strong economic growth
 Strengthening its position on the
international stage
Birmingham –globally connected

3. Birmingham: A connected future City
 Accelerate digital investment into the city
 Maximise the benefits that digital
technologies bring to citizens and businesses
 More importantly, lead responsibility for
developing Birmingham’s action plan and
roadmap to deliver the Smart City Vision –
underpinned by connectivity
 Establishment of a Smart City
Commission – establishing the
Leadership
 Launch of the Smart City Vision in
January 2013
 Established a Vision Statement and key
principles

4. Urban Broadband Fund – Blessing or a
Curse?

5. Our revised approach

Voucher Scheme
 No sustainability
 No reduction in monthly rents
 Not world class
 Does not increase competition
 Promotes short-termism
 No incentive for inward
investment

6. Spiralling to mediocrity
 Digital services 20 years behind
Scandinavian countries
 The UK has the lowest proportion of
homes hooked up to FTTH of any EU
nation.
 Loss of knowledge based industries

7. Establishing an Internet Peering Point
Date : 2nd
May 2013
Venue : Birmingham Science
Park, Aston
Time : 14.00
Thank You