Agenda item

(To receive a presentation from Steve Brookes (Lincolnshire Broadband Programme Manager), which provides an update on the implementation of the Lincolnshire Broadband Programme)

The Committee received a presentation from Steve Brookes (Lincolnshire Broadband Programme Manager), which provided a status update on the broadband programme since the last update received on 26 November 2015.

The presentation outlined the current status of the Lincolnshire Broadband Programme.  It detailed the number of premises enabled, the number of structures completed, the levels of coverage achieved and the latest financial position.  The presentation also outlined the current status of the Phase 2 contract, which aimed to take Superfast broadband coverage to 95% of all UK premises by the end of 2017.  The objectives for Phase 3 were currently being developed.

During the presentation, the following points were noted:

·         150,775 homes as of 31 March 2016 had been provided with fibre broadband, against a target of 148,334 as part of Phase 1 of the contract;

·         Anticipated Superfast coverage in the Intervention Area was quoted at 76.1% by BT in their original Invitation to Tender response.  When added to existing commercial coverage, BT had expected to hit 90% Superfast coverage across the County.  The project was currently running at 82% Superfast coverage in the Intervention Area, therefore 5.9% above the target of 76.1%;

·         Latest analysis from BDUK had shown a per premises cost of £142 against a projected £242, and a Superfast per premises cost of £178 against a projected £293;

·         The total underspend on Phase 1 was circa £12 million;

·         The possibility of utilising wireless broadband was discussed and in particular, it was queried whether church spires could be used to affix wireless masts;

·         As part of Phase 2 of the contract BT would deliver an additional 4,801 Superfast premises by the end of 2017.  As of 31 March 2016, BT had completed 3,582 premises and therefore was currently on target;

·         The programme of work for Phase 3 was currently being drawn up.  Phase 3 would be funded by a combination of underspending and clawback agreements from contracts 1 and 2;

·         A Member suggested that some of the underspending was used to hold a seminar on internet security;

·         Any new development with 30 or more dwellings would have BT fibre broadband installed.  Planning authorities had been made aware of this ruling;

·         It was noted that the district of Lincoln was the fifth fastest district in the Country for broadband speeds;

·         The longer the length of copper wire, the slower the broadband would be. Therefore, the closer a premises was to a cabinet, the faster the broadband.  It was also noted that the cost of laying down fibre infrastructure in rural areas did not make providing superfast broadband to rural areas cost effective, compared to larger cities such as London and Manchester;

·         Further to the above, a Member raised concerns regarding the maximum Superfast broadband speeds in Lincolnshire and it was felt that this issue should be highlighted to the Executive and Management Board;

NOTE: At this stage in proceedings, the meeting was adjourned from 11.00am to 11.15am.

·         A Member commented that the residents of Lincolnshire should be able to benefit from 4G mobile data speeds.  Further to this, Members were advised that the infrastructure to deliver 4G was not widely available across Lincolnshire and would not be covered as part of this project;

·         The OnLincolnshire website (www.onlincolnshire.org) provided further detail on the project.  The website also provided information on 'other solutions' such as satellite broadband, for those premises which were not included as part of Phase 2;

·         Broadband speed tests could be undertaken through the website and if the results were consistently low, it was suggested they should be emailed through to the Project team for consideration.

The Committee thanked the Lincolnshire Broadband Programme Manager for his detailed update.

RESOLVED

(1)  That the presentation be noted.

(2)  That a further update be provided at a future meeting.