Rural Gigabit Future: Rural Wales

One of a series of 6 workshop events around the country to develop and share innovative thinking around rural projects to bring full fibre connectivity to the hardest to reach locations.

Background

The DCMS Local Full Fibre Networks (LFFN) challenge fund has successfully inspired the development of a range of projects across the UK levering the delivery of full fibre connections to public sector buildings to extend the wider commercial availability of full fibre networks. Recent LFFN projects have demonstrated the potential for the approach to extend full fibre networks into rural areas.

The Superfast rollout programme followed an 'inside-out’ approach – starting with the lowest cost areas to upgrade and progressing to the more difficult areas. This presented good value for money for the initial programme, but became increasingly expensive. Following the success of the LFFN programme, DCMS is now considering options for a new approach for full fibre deployment – targeting the hardest to reach areas first.

INCA Rural Gigabit Future Events

This is a new direction, and is going to need new thinking. The INCA Rural Gigabit Future Events Programme aims to bring together DCMS, local authorities and network providers to consider the demands and opportunities of this new approach:

• DCMS – current thinking and sharing best practice around the country
• Local Authorities – where is the edge and what does it look like?
• Network Providers – technical and commercial approaches to the new challenge.
• Key Projects – experience from other developing projects.

The events are aimed at local authorities, network providers and communities aiming to secure a full fibre future for their areas. The format will be a series of brief presentations, followed by a panel session to answer questions and develop understanding of the issues.

Agenda

13:30 : Registration

14:00 : Welcome & Introduction - Cllr Anne McCaffrey, Conwy County Borough Council

14:10 : Strategic plans & priorities - James Saunby, GreySky Consulting

14:25 : National Developments

• Carolyn Johnson, DCMS
• Vivien Collins, Welsh Government

15:00 : Panel Discussion - chaired by Askar Sheibani, Sorrento Networks

15:30 : Break

16:00 : Case Study - Alex Nau, Hellermann Tyton

16:15 : Supplier Perspectives

• Fibrespeed - Dale Weedman
• Openreach - Tony Morgan
• Broadway Partners - Michael Armitage

17:00 : Panel Discussion - chaired by James Saunby

17:30 : Final Wrap-up and Networking

Pricing: £65 + VAT per person

For any queries about this INCA Member event, please contact Gill Williams.

This event is organised by INCA in partnership with Conwy County Borough Council, Denbighshire County Council, and the North Wales Economic Ambition Board.

Photo by allispossible.org.uk licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License.