BSG event – Pushing for Universal Broadband Coverage – Monday 14 March (2.30pm-5pm)

BSG event – Pushing for Universal Broadband Coverage – Monday 14 March (2.30pm-5pm)

Pushing for Universal Broadband Coverage: What do we mean and how do we get there?

The Government has announced its intention to make sure that “every home and business can have access to fast broadband by the end of this Parliament???. This would go beyond the current BDUK targets for superfast broadband to 95% of premises and build on the Universal Service Obligation of 2 Mbit/s. This event will bring together industry and policy makers to discuss how best to facilitate coverage to the areas which are by definition the least commercially viable, with the debate including issues such as public funding, State Aid, community-led scheme, debt-financing and the creation of a Universal Service Obligation.

Getting as many people online and enjoying the benefits of what the internet can bring is an incredibly complex task involving digital skills, attitude and awareness among other issues. But in many ways the first step is ensuring that the underlying connectivity is available to them.

This event will explore how we should frame any target for universal coverage, the actions needed to meet that target and what lessons can be learned from other countries.

If you wish to attend, please contact [email protected]

The event will be held at techUK, 10 St Bride Street, London EC4A 4AD.

Agenda

14.30 – 14.45 Registration and Networking
14.45 – 15.00 Welcome and Introduction – Matthew Evans/Richard Hooper (BSG)
15.00 – 15.20 Bandwidth requirements and defining the problem – Rob Kenny, Communications Chambers
15.20 – 15.40 International Perspectives of USFs – Mani Manimohan, GSMA
15.40 – 16.00 Market test pilots, lessons learned – David Hamson, BDUK
16.00 – 16.20 Industry Keynote: Garry Miller, BT
16.20 – 17.00 Panel Session 1: How do we provide a universal level of good broadband

Issues: What is the best mechanism for doing so? Public funding, debt financing, community-led schemes, universal service fund?

 

Chair: Chris Osborne, FTI Consulting

Speaker 1: Dan Butler, Virgin Media

Speaker 2: Garry Miller, BT

Speaker 3: Chris Dawes, Airwave

Q&A

17.00 – 17.15 Close and reception