May 2020
Price: £95 PLUS VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
***Full-scale policy conference taking place online***
This conference will consider the way forward for developing and investing in fibre network infrastructure in the UK.
Key areas for discussion:
- Key proposals and measures being considered in the consultation on Ofcom’s Wholesale Fixed Telecoms Market Review;
- The potential impact of Ofcom’s proposed approach on encouraging network competition in areas where it is considered economically viable;
- Proposed levels of charge controls relating to wholesale network access for retail broadband providers in different geographical areas;
- The Review’s proposals to continue to require BT to provide unrestricted access to its network of ducts and poles for competitors seeking to build their own networks;
- What more is needed from policymakers and regulators to achieve greater geographical coverage for broadband and fibre networks;
- Key proposals contained in the two proposed bills - the Telecommunications (Connectivity) Bill and the Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Bill;
- The role of public funding in achieving an increased pace of rollout of high-speed networks in the UK; and
- The proposed new planning obligations for housing developers to include the infrastructure to support gigabit-capable connections in new developments
Background and developments that are relevant to the discussion:
The agenda:
- Competition and regulation in future network rollout - key aims of the Market Review;
- ‘Next Steps for High Quality Digital Infrastructure’;
- Developing fibre and gigabit-capable networks in the UK - incentivising investment, infrastructure access and achieving greater competition;
- Addressing the challenges of achieving widespread high-speed network coverage - latest thinking from Scotland;
- The way forward for addressing consumer priorities in broadband infrastructure - pricing, reliability and widening coverage; and
- The Government’s key priorities for the UK’s digital infrastructure - investment, coverage obligations and new legislation.
Policy officials attending
Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stake holders.
It’s certainly the case with this one. Places have been reserved by officials from BDUK; DCMS; Ofcom; BEIS; the Cabinet Office; MHCLG; ; the National Audit Office; Crown Commercial Service; the Department for International Trade; the Geospatial Commission; HM Revenue & Customs; the National Crime Agency; the Valuation Office Agency; The Scottish Government and the Welsh Government.
This is a full-scale conference taking place online***
- full, four-hour programme including comfort breaks - you’ll also get a full recording to refer back to
- information-rich discussion involving key policymakers and stakeholders
- conference materials provided in advance, including speaker biographies
- speakers presenting via webcam, accompanied by slides if they wish, using the Cisco WebEx professional online conference platform (easy for delegates - we’ll provide full details)
- opportunities for live delegate questions and comments with all speakers
- a recording of the addresses, all slides cleared by speakers, and further materials, is made available to all delegates afterwards as a permanent record of the proceedings
- delegates are able to add their own written comments and articles following the conference, to be distributed to all attendees and more widely
- networking too - there will be opportunities for delegates to e-meet and interact - we’ll tell you how!
Full information and guidance on how to take part will be sent to delegates before the conference
