Agenda Item No: 5 Scrutiny of Broadband availability briefing notes Report of Scrutiny Officer Summary: Outlines the importance of Broadband, in relation to economic development and community issues, problems of providing Broadband in rural areas, how the local authorities can help, current projects, and what has been achieved. Appendix A suggests possible questions for witnesses. Cabinet member(s): Contact Officer, telephone, and e-mail: Ward(s) affected: All Tony Fielder 01508-533928 Afielder@s-norfolk.gov.uk 1. Why is Broadband important? "Given that most new employment these days is IT-based, we need to have IT connectivity, particularly Broadband, for industry to go to a rural place. So for the health of our rural communities, we just need to have Broadband there. If we don't, we're going to end up with an empty countryside, and that's really bad for everybody; an empty and poor countryside," (Steven Pinder - Government E-Envoy) 2. What is Broadband? 2.1. Unlike Internet and e-mail connection through telephone lines, which is relatively slow and is charged by use, Broadband is a fast, high-capacity connection charged at a flat monthly rate, so users can have always on internet/e-mail and telephone connection, over the same line and at reasonable cost. 2.2. It is particularly useful for creative, graphic and publishing industries which need to exchange large electronic files, but Broadband also offers real time e-mail and ready access to techniques not practicable with conventional phone connections, such as video conferencing, which can reduce the need to travel and offers opportunities to extend services into more isolated rural areas. 2.3. Broadband is now available in most urban areas, where demand justifies the cost of upgrading BT exchanges, and users can also connect through cable TV services, fibre-optic cable networks, or satellite links. Even faster and two-way transmission rates are available at a premium. In some commercial offices and internet cafés, local wi-fi wireless networks are being installed. A number of local wireless networks could be chained from a more powerful transmitter/receiver.
3. Economic development issues improved communications, efficiency and opportunities opportunity for more environmentally-friendly developments evidence of tenant demand in rented premises 3.1. Companies can already get broadband anywhere in the country, using a leased line to one of the larger Internet Service Providers. However, these can cost up to 2000 per month for a 2Mbps connection, putting them out of the range of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME s) who would like Broadband, but can`t justify the expense. 4. Social and Community development Creating community-oriented, web-based services; Allows electronic delivery of services to rural areas; Likely to become a major medium for entertainment delivery. 5. Problems of providing Broadband in rural areas 5.1. The main problem of extending Broadband connection to rural areas is the low density of potential subscribers combined with the high cost of links whether by upgrading telephone exchanges, installing cables, or wireless is unattractive to telecommunications providers. 5.2. The Government will not provide new funding to overcome these problems, and is relying partly on aggregation (see below). Funding is also available to correct market failure through EEDA, for example the connecting communities competition. 5.3. Until recently, BT took the view that only a proportion of rural telephone exchanges were suitable for upgrading to provide Broadband. The situation has recently improved as BT has now announced that virtually all exchanges can be upgraded. Local communities and businesses are being asked to register their interest in connecting to Broadband through their local exchange, and BT has undertaken to upgrade when registrations reach a set trigger level for each exchange, related to the cost of upgrading (older exchanges cost most). When the trigger level has been reached, upgrade usually follows in about 12 weeks. EEDA is helping to promote local campaigns to encourage registrations. 5.4. However, BT exchange upgrades do not solve all problems: Telephone line (ASDL) only effective up to 6.5 km cable-run from the exchange many rural communities are further from exchange; Need existing copper wire from premises to exchange some is aluminium; Usually no choice of connection, so transmission speed can degrade as number of local users increases; Minimum Broadband standard - may soon be outdated. 5.5. For this reason, some communities are investigating the potential of wi-fi, and the five villages served by the existing Framingham Earl exchange have EEDA funding for this, potentially using the existing local telecommunications masts to cover a wide area. (The five villages are also promoting registrations to upgrade the BT exchange, but it has a high trigger level.) The Harleston Development Partnership has also won EEDA funding and is pursuing a wireless option.
5.6. BT Exchange Activate is a product of BT Wholesale, currently being trialled in Burnham Market. It allows about 45 subscribers access to ASDL Broadband for a one-off subscription of 50K for 3 years, to pay for an item of equipment in the exchange. A further 30 subscribers can be added for 25K. This is an alternative to campaigns to meet trigger levels for whole-exchange upgrades. 6. How can the public sector help? Regional Aggregation Board (RAB) will be set up by end of 2003; its task will be to co-ordinate connection of schools, libraries, GP surgeries and Local Authorities, reducing public costs and encouraging private sector to extend provision to local homes and businesses RAB will procure upgraded NHS network ( N3 ) Supporting local private-sector or community activity. 7. What has been achieved? Several exchanges enabled (23 in Norfolk)- Wymondham, Diss, Hethersett, Costessey, some in Norwich fringe also connected Some office developments pursuing their own solution via leased lines Other larger businesses may opt for satellite Small-area wireless project in Trowse (individual initiative). 8. The role of local authorities 8.1. Strategic - public sector requirements bringing organisations together taking public sector aggregation seriously defining the organisation s future needs in order to buy into or support community networks 8.2. Operational support to communities ongoing support for Connecting Communities winners individually and collectively Assistance with local campaigns, e.g. for exchange enablement Business support schemes 9. Current projects Link Suffolk / Connecting Communities projects Norwich and surroundings dark ring high-speed Broadband link for Norwich Research Park and Keswick. ADSL exchange activate BT trial in Burnham Market, mid-2003 aimed at bringing Broadband to small groups in rural communities where it has not previously been commercially viable. EEDA is contributing 7,000 towards the trial. that supports approximately 16 users. EEDA Norfolk/ Suffolk network LEADER+ funding Suffolk County Council network E-government Post Office hubs
10. Trigger levels 10.1. BT trigger levels for exchanges in South Norfolk: Trigger Exchange Registrations as % of trigger 100 Fritton, Woodton 33% 41% 150 Aldeby, Barnham Broom, Fundenhall, Kirby Cane, Thurton 38% 32% 61% 21% Target met upgrade date not known 200 Bressingham, Raveningham, Surlingham, Tivetshall 34% 32% 31% 33% 250 Bunwell, Hempnall, Pulham Market 42% 20% 24% 300 Brooke 23% 350 Swainsthorpe 49% 400 Dickleburgh, Hingham 450 Mulbarton 44% 500 Framingham Earl, Harleston, Loddon, Long Stratton 27% Information not available 64% 26% 25% 47% Sources: www.btwholesale.com www.bt.com/broadband www.demandbroadband.com www.eeda.org.uk www.5villages.net
a) What is the current situation on BT exchange upgrades? b) Do local exchanges have a problem with aluminium cabling? c) Who sets trigger levels for BT exchange upgrades? APPENDIX A d) Is it fair that some trigger levels are set at a much higher percentage of the resident population than others? Can EEDA/County Council influence this? e) In view of BT s recent announcement that it expects all Norfolk exchanges to be upgraded by 2005, (subject to successful local sign-up campaigns) are there still any hopeless cases which justify public funding support? f) If Broadband is not available through telephone cables for premises more than about 6 km from an upgraded BT exchange, how will connection of more distant subscribers be funded? g) What progress is being made with the dark fibre ring? Would this funding be better spent on funding the upgrade of BT exchanges? h) What has happened to the report on feasibility of Broadband commissioned by the County Council from Profundus consultants? i) What are the outcomes from the ASDL Exchange Activate trials at Burnham Market and Shottisham? j) If the Framingham Earl BT exchange is upgraded, and the 5 villages wireless Broadband project does not proceed, could its EEDA funding be transferred to other Broadband projects in the vicinity? k) What is the current situation with Regional Aggregation Board (RAB)? l) How will the RAB engage with potential private users? How will businesses and private individuals get to use aggregated public-sector Broadband connections? m) Is the Region (RAB) the appropriate level to secure effective aggregation?