Full Fibre ISP 4th Utility Calls on UK Councils to Set Digital Strategies

The boss of broadband ISP 4th Utility, which is deploying a new 1Gbps Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband network to some homes (SDU) and large residential blocks (MDU), has warned that the UK may be “sleepwalking into a crisis“, after it was revealed (here) that half of councils do not have a digital strategy.

Admittedly, Digital Strategies often tend to be a bit like customer charters – full of ambition and sound bites, albeit frequently lacking in detail on the practical deliverability side. Nevertheless, they can help to focus minds on the issue, while also encouraging productive changes (e.g. different approaches to planning, wayleaves, infrastructure sharing etc.), which when properly supported (funding and staff) may improve infrastructure and boost digital inclusion.

The CEO of 4th Utility, Tony Hughes, particularly noted that many local authorities in the North West – including Liverpool, St Helens, Halton and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority – were an example to others in pushing ahead with their own digital strategies. Tony was speaking at an event entitled ‘Futureproofing Connectivity Across the Liverpool City Region’.

On top of that, he also raised concerns that the broadband industry is still facing a “chronic” shortage of as many as 50,000 engineers. But the Government does at least appear to be taking some action on that front via a visa review (here), which might make it easier to pull in fibre engineers from abroad. As for 4th Utility, Tony said they were “working hard to ensure young people have the skills for fibre – offering apprenticeships and graduate jobs … that will be critical in years to come.”

Tony Hughes, CEO of 4th Utility, said:

“With digital connectivity clearly on the backburner, the UK is sleepwalking into a crisis. It’s absolutely vital those councils without a digital strategy implement one as quickly as possible.

These strategies aim do vital things like improve infrastructure, boost digital inclusion and ensure elderly residents are able to use online services.

Let’s be clear – not only do they help the community, they also boost growth in the local economy. Good companies will be drawn to places where there is good digital connectivity. It will attract smart businesses and high quality, high wage opportunities.

Driving access to fast internet is critical for businesses and consumers, particularly if the UK is serious about its levelling up ambitions.”

At present 4th Utility expects to cover 94,000 homes with their own full fibre network by the end of December 2022, which should complement their earlier stated ambition to reach around 300,000 premises over the next five years (here).

However, one caveat with today’s release relates to its claim that only 28% of the UK currently has access to full fibre, which is an out-of-date figure from 13 months ago. The current figure is around 40% and rising fast.