The Team from Devon and Somerset which secured funds from BDUK to implement faster, and Superfast Broadband in the Trinity area and the rest of the two counties has issued an update...

"The Connecting Devon and Somerset programme to provide superfast broadband to at least 85% of homes and businesses in Devon and Somerset is on track and on target.

The Programme Update can be downloaded here: Programme Update September 2011, and a recent presentation made by Councillor Will Mumford and Rob Hetherington (to a business audience) can be downloaded here: Connecting Devon and Somerset Presentation.

BDUK “framework”

The Government decided to procure superfast broadband through a national “framework” of approved suppliers to be overseen by its agency, Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK). Devon and Somerset are working closely with BDUK during this process. The first stage of discussions with potential suppliers will begin later this month and will be led by BDUK in partnership with ourselves, Wiltshire and Norfolk. This first stage will appoint suppliers to the framework and will conclude in May 2012. At this point we will then run a competition with the successful qualifying suppliers. We anticipate appointing our broadband partner and beginning the roll out of superfast broadband across Devon and Somerset in September 2012.

Devon and Somerset requirements

We are working on our requirements and an implementation plan that will schedule the roll out of improved connectivity across our area. This will be based on objective criteria such as current levels of speed, business performance, levels of demand, rurality and deprivation. We have an open mind about the technology or mix of technologies that will be used. Our roll out will be guided by the economic, social and public service transformation aims set out in our Local Broadband Plan and private sector investment plans. It will achieve at least 85% of premises receiving superfast broadband. The roll out plan will be the basis for our negotiation with broadband suppliers and the final deployment schedule and levels of improved connectivity will only be known in September 2012.

Working with communities and business

We have already undertaken a number of community and business engagement activities where there has been outright support for the programme and the work we are doing. We will shortly be appointing communication specialists to support the marketing of the programme, raising demand and take up levels and keeping all partners up to date with the latest programme developments. This website www.connectingdevonandsomerset.co.uk is our main source of programme information.

Tackling the funding gap

We have successfully secured investment (£31 million) from the Government via BDUK and have a £22 million commitment of capital and revenue funding from Devon County Council, Somerset County Council, North Somerset Council and other public sector partners. A further significant contribution is expected from the private sector supplier who wins the contract. However, there remains a potential funding gap.

The DEFRA Community Broadband Fund offers a potential additional source of funding. Exact requirements and use of this fund are still to be published. It is anticipated that communities will have access to this funding to enhance connectivity beyond the level being funded by our programme. We believe that this funding should be aligned to the Government’s BDUK investment so that the two programmes can work collaboratively. This would free communities from bearing the burdens of submitting independent and multiple applications, providing their own match funding and running their own procurements and state aid compliance.

[State aid is a European Commission term which refers to forms of assistance from a public body given to projects such as broadband that have the potential to distort competition and affect trade between member states of the European Union. The European Commission governs member states' compliance with these rules and must be notified of all schemes involving State aid. The notification process can be challenging and onerous. State aid granted without Commission approval is viewed as unlawful and may be subject to repayment - by the aid recipient.]

We are concerned that if the funding programmes are not aligned under the umbrella of Connecting Devon and Somerset programme then the risk of creating isolated and potentially financially unsustainable networks, additional bureaucracy and costs and the consequent reduction in available funding for the actual provision of superfast broadband is high.

Europe

The team have visited Brussels and were hosted by Sir Graham Watson MEP to explore other possible EU funding sources with a number of Directorate General Officials. There is a current European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funding opportunity being pursued to enhance business support and connectivity.

Timetable

The key dates and timeline for the programme are outlined below:

To reiterate, the final deployment schedule and levels of improved connectivity will only be known in September 2012."

This report does NOT make clear what is happening with the DEFRA monies secured for rural areas and on which tenders were issued earlier in the year for supply to the Trinity area. I will enquire further and update this article when these details are clear...

Ian

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