IBC SPECIAL - SEPTEMBER 2017 IBC_SUPPLEMENT_SEPTEMBER_2017 | Page 3

UK names six full-fibre trial areas
H
igh speed FTTH broadband is to be
piloted in six different regions of the
UK. The first stage of a £200 million
(€218m) publicly funded scheme for schools
and hospitals kicked off in September with the
launch of six local pilots.
The projects will receive around £10 million
to test innovative ways of connecting offices
and public sector buildings with the next
generation of broadband - full fibre networks
that run fibre connections straight to the doors
of customers’ homes or businesses.
The resultant connection can offer speeds
of 1 Gigabit/Sec. The multimillion-pound
investment means test projects will now go
ahead in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, West
Sussex, Coventry and Warwickshire, Bristol
and Bath and North East Somerset, West
Yorkshire and Greater Manchester.
The announcement is the first step in a £200
million programme announced by Chancellor,
Philip Hammond, it is part of the government’s
four-year plan to stimulate the market and
encourage the growth of full fibre all over the
country.
Junior Treasury Minister, Andrew Jones
MP, said: “How we live and work today is
directly affected by how good our broadband
connection is. Reliable connections enable
new industries to flourish, help create jobs
and give people flexibility in how and where
they work. For our economy to thrive, it is
vital we make smart investments to ensure our
digital infrastructure is world class and fit for
the future. Full fibre connections are the gold
standard and we are proud to announce today
the next step to get Britain better connected.”
Minister of State for Digital, Matt Hancock
MP, said: “We want to see more commercial
investment in the gold standard connectivity
that full fibre provides, and these innovative
pilots will help create the right environment for
this to happen. To keep Britain as the digital
world leader that it is, we need to have the
right infrastructure in place to allow us to keep
up with the rapid advances in technology now
and in the future. The cutting-edge technology
will make internet access more secure and
enable more people to work remotely without
disruption, as well as equipping the UK’s
homes, businesses and public services for
applications of the future.”
Full fibre broadband could potentially allow:
• Hospitals to share HD quality graphics of
medical scans in seconds to improve diagnosis
speeds
• Businesses to reach ever more customers
online, increasing transactions by uploading
even the largest files quickly and easily
• School classrooms to see a vast increase the
number of pupils who can stream educational
videos at the same time
The pilots follow on from the Digital
Infrastructure Investment Fund announced
in July, as well as new legislation to enable
business rates relief for new fibre. Unlocking
more than £1 billion for full fibre broadband,
the fund is said to have ignited interest from
private finance to invest in the sector.
Curran joins as EBU
Director General investigative journalist and public service broadcasters as
producer and has worked on trusted sources of news and
Following his appointment a wide range of live television information never being more
in May 2017, Noel Curran events including producing the important than it is today.”
has taken up his position as 42nd Eurovision Song Contest the new Director General of in Dublin in 1997.
He is also an award-winning
the European Broadcasting
opportunities and the role of
“For nearly 70 years, the
EBU has been there to support
“I am delighted to be taking
PSM and champion the values
Union (EBU). He replaces the helm of the world’s we all hold in common. I am
Ingrid Deltenre who has leading alliance of public honoured to continue this fine
stepped down after eight Director General, he radically service media,” he declared. tradition and look forward to
years in charge. restructured RTÉ in the wake “This is a challenging time for meeting as many Members as
of the financial crisis and everyone working in PSM, but possible in the forthcoming
General of RTÉ and brings with successfully repositioned the it is also an incredibly exciting months to harness their ideas
him a wealth of experience in broadcaster as a robust digital time, with new technology and passion to drive our
public service media (PSM). As media organisation. presenting a slew of new organisation forward.”
Curran is the former Director
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