The board of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority has approved the extension of its strategy to improve digital connectivity in the region.
The strategy for 2025-29 has been developed by the authority’s transport and infrastructure committee, and is aimed at building on the success of the existing strategy have met the Government’s target of 85% gigabit capable broadband coverage a year before it is due.
It has come as the Connecting Cambridgeshire programme has reported a success for its approach to encouraging the delivery of fibre connectivity in recent years.
The new strategy aims to eliminate gaps or ‘not spots’, pushing towards full fibre coverage across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, with Government setting 2030 as the target for full coverage.
4G and 5G coverage will also be boosted, with Connecting Cambridgeshire continuing to explore options such as the deployment of 4G small cells to boost connectivity in identified not spot areas.
Essential for communities
Cllr Anna Smith, deputy mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and chair of the transport and infrastructure committee, said: “I’m so pleased that this important strategy providing essential connectivity to our communities over the next five years can now move forward.
“The modern world increasingly demands fast, reliable connectivity at home, at work, and on the move. This strategy will help bring that to more people and places. That’s especially important in our rural communities.
“Good connectivity is one of the underpinning pieces of infrastructure which is fundamental to sustaining our economy, promoting more opportunity, jobs and prosperity, while also helping people stay in touch with friends and family, and access important services.”
The existing strategy has also increased 4G and 5G coverage across the region, launched a digital inclusion plan and provided for a trial deployment of 32 water level sensors, the combined authority said.
Connecting Cambridgeshire – a multi-agency programme hosted by the county council – said its ‘Dig Once’ police has provided a boost in fibre ducting available in the county for gigabit capable connectivity. It has involved the integration of fibre ducting and new transport infrastructure projects, providing for over 21km of additional ducting installed or planned up to 2025.
Launched in 2019, it has also enabled the county council and the University of Cambridge to commercially market their fibre assets through the Light Blue Fibre joint venture.
