Mobile operators to join broadband roll out efforts

Mobile operators to join broadband roll out efforts

The UK’s mobile operators are meeting with broadband network providers to discuss the roll-out of superfast services across the UK by 2018.

Organised by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, the meeting will be the first time the mobile network companies have been invited to become involved in the plans. The Government is adding a further £250 million in funding to bring better broadband to areas that will miss out in the current BDUK roll out scheme.

BDUK was criticised by the Public Accounts Committee because the process meant that the available subsidies were only likely to be won by BT and not competitors interested in bidding for the work. The committee of MPs said the process had not offered the benefits of competition to consumers.

An insider told The Financial Times that the Government is bringing mobile operators on board as part of efforts to redress that and make the process more competitive. It is hoped the meeting will be the start of a process where more “innovative solutions and approaches” are suggested to bring the superfast broadband network to rural and isolated locations.

Current efforts have only used fixed line broadband, but mobile operators believe the network can be extended via a combination of fixed and mobile solutions. But there are concerns there may be issues for mobile businesses that want to use BT’s infrastructure to roll out the next generation of 4G to support this latest broadband project. The initial BDUK scheme was established with an agreement for Government funding that did not include mobile technology.

Mobile groups are also part of a separate subsidised programme to ensure isolated locations can receive text messages and voicemail. Under O2’s licence agreement, it has committed to ensure 98 per cent 4G coverage, although this does not have a guaranteed speed, so it is unclear whether it would be an effective tool for expanding the superfast broadband network.

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