How do the broadband and fibre industry’s current efforts stack up against government targets? And what are the key factors, initiatives and challenges that could impact the industry now and in the future? Read on to find out.
The broadband and fibre rollout in the UK continues to gain momentum, as the government pushes for widespread high-speed internet access across the country. With initiatives like Project Gigabit and One Touch Switch leading the charge, the state of play is a moving target that presents both opportunities and challenges for Internet Service Providers (ISPs), contractors, and builders.
According to recent figures, the average download speed in the UK is 110.99 Mbps, landing us at position 35 on the worldwide broadband speed league table and meaning we lag behind the average speeds in Western Europe by 27.48 Mbps. 12 months ago, the gap was 25.06 Mbps. Despite notable improvements in broadband speed, the pace of superfast rollout across the continent has triggered initiatives to help bring our island up to speed.
So what are the initiatives at the heart of UK broadband expansion? And how does MapAll support the UK’s drive to achieve the government’s 2030 target for the whole of the UK to have access to gigabit broadband?
Government initiatives driving broadband expansion
The UK government has launched several initiatives aimed at accelerating the deployment of high-speed internet across the nation. Two of the most significant are Project Gigabit and One Touch Switch, in addressing and structuring the availability of gigabit broadband, and empowering customers to have the opportunity to switch seamlessly – and easily – if they aren’t satisfied with their service.
Project Gigabit is the UK government’s £5 billion initiative to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to hard-to-reach communities. It focuses on providing fast and reliable internet to rural and remote areas and addresses connectivity gaps in more built-up locations. The initiative ensures that households and businesses not covered by existing broadband plans can access high-speed internet, supporting flexible working, boosting productivity, and facilitating and improving public services.
Up to £210 million in vouchers are available to help eligible rural homes and businesses cover the costs of installing gigabit broadband. An additional £110 million is allocated to connect public sector buildings like schools, libraries, and GP surgeries in hard-to-reach areas.
This initiative is critical for ISPs and contractors as it seeks to improve connectivity for rural and underserved communities. However, with ambitious targets comes the need for efficient project management, especially when it comes to designing, building, and documenting fibre infrastructure.
One Touch Switch
The One Touch Switch (OTS) initiative, regulated by Ofcom, aims to simplify the process of switching broadband and home phone providers for UK consumers. It allows customers to switch by only needing to contact the new provider, without the need to notify their old supplier, which according to Ofcom’s research was a barrier to switching for 41% of UK households.
Although initially scheduled for April 2023, the OTS implementation faced delays, pushing the new, impending industry-wide launch to September 2024. Ofcom is closely monitoring major providers to ensure they meet this deadline, with potential investigations for non-compliance.
OTS is significant for ISPs because it reduces switching barriers, encouraging customers to evaluate their current services and supporting competition in the market. Contractors involved in broadband infrastructure will need to be prepared for the increased demand for seamless transitions between providers. As easier switching becomes the new reality, customers will increasingly favour providers who create seamless experiences. As such, maintaining a high quality of service will be paramount in separating the good from the inadequate – the GOATs from the “others” – in the industry.
So where are we at with the current UK fibre broadband rollout?
The UK’s rollout of fibre broadband is progressing, but it’s definitely not plain sailing. While urban areas have seen significant uptake, rural areas continue to lag (excuse the pun). But why? A key factor influencing the rollout is the variable pace of house-building nationwide.
Economic factors and rising material costs have seen some regions’ house-building efforts slow in pace, having a knock-on effect on the ISPs and contractors tasked with installing fibre infrastructure. Fewer new homes being ready for installation means fewer opportunities to incorporate fibre connections into new builds.
Despite this, the 2030 deadline means that ISPs and contractors are still under pressure to ramp up efforts, as according to recent research, 57% of new home buyers considered broadband speed is essential when choosing which home to buy. This places additional pressure across the market, particularly in retrofitting fibre to older buildings.
How are we supporting the fibre build process?
As the broadband rollout intensifies, MapAll is playing a crucial role in supporting ISPs and contractors through the complexities of fibre deployment. MapAll’s suite of tools has been designed by experts with decades of experience in the industry to streamline every stage of the network build, as well as empower you to report and resolve blockages. We’re an end-to-end solution that will help ISPs and contractors enjoy a smoother installation process, cutting down lead times and improving business reputation and end-user satisfaction.
From designing fibre network projects to managing the building work and project management, MapAll simplifies the process for all involved, making operations smoother and more profitable. Additionally, MapAll provides a one-stop, central point of reference for accessing and updating documentation of completed work, and the ability to handle A55 and A55b blockage reports, ensuring that any obstacles encountered during construction are swiftly addressed.
MapAll leverages the most up-to-date, cloud-based SaaS technology to make real-time improvements both in the field and in the office. From design and survey, to build, retro as built and blockage reporting, MapAll seamlessly integrates with existing tech stacks to relieve time and administrative pressure on engineers and the construction industry.
Speaking about the topic, our Chief Revenue Officer, Steve Garrood says:
“The industry has been tasked with an incredibly important but hefty challenge to ensure all four corners (and everything in between) in the UK have access to super-fast broadband. This is why processes need to be as efficient and streamlined as possible, in addition to providing contractors with the peace of mind that complete compliance brings. We’ve designed our suite of tools to address the exact pain points of different stakeholders to fully support the achievement of the 2030 target set by the UK government.”
As the UK pushes towards its ambitious broadband goals, ISPs, contractors, and builders must stay informed of the latest industry changes and government regulations. The ongoing rollout of fibre broadband presents a mix of opportunities and challenges, but with the right tools and partners, these challenges can be met head-on. MapAll is constantly evolving to meet these challenges, to help us achieve our mission of becoming the go-to system, every day, at every stage of the build process, whilst supporting the UK’s mission to sit toe-to-toe with its neighbours in the quest for superfast broadband.
For a free, no-obligation demo of the MapAll tool, or to find out more about how we surpass the offering of other competitors, head here.
