The Independent Networks Cooperative Association (INCA), which represents the independent gigabit-capable broadband providers (known as Altnets) across the country, has urged the government to prioritise digital infrastructure within its Industrial Strategy to ensure long-term economic resilience and competitiveness. It has called for a national campaign to promote full fibre-adoption and the establishment of a digital infrastructure cross-departmental working group.
These proposals formed part of the trade association’s submitted evidence to the Business and Trade Committee’s Industrial Strategy inquiry.
INCA’s submission highlights the vital role of full-fibre broadband in supporting productivity, innovation, and investment across key industries, but stresses the need for government to not take connectivity for granted. The association warns that while significant progress has been made in expanding network coverage, adoption rates remain too low. To address this, INCA is advocating for a national campaign to promote full-fibre adoption, including financial incentives for businesses transitioning from outdated copper networks.
Infrastructure competition is also central to INCA’s recommendations. The UK’s rapid progress in full-fibre rollout has been driven by competitive market dynamics, particularly through the contributions of independent network providers (Altnets). To sustain this progress, INCA urges the government to reaffirm its commitment to infrastructure competition and ensure Ofcom actively promotes it.
Additionally, INCA is calling for the establishment of a cross-departmental digital infrastructure working group to streamline government policies and reduce rollout barriers. Based on the fact that access to broadband impacts many essential services, the association has recommended the working group comprises: DSIT as the lead agency, along with the Department for Health and Social Care, Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, His Majesty’s Treasury, Department for Work and Pensions and Department for Education and the Home Office.
As part of its submission the association also stressed the importance of a new digital inclusion strategy to address disparities in broadband access and skills training.
INCA’s CEO, Paddy Paddison, stated: “Full-fibre broadband is not just a technological upgrade—it is an economic necessity. The government, which has been extremely vocal about kickstarting the economy, must now deliver on it and taking decisive action to prioritise digital infrastructure and support widespread adoption will represent a major step forward in this regard.”
