Hampshire County Council has approved a three themed Digital Future Strategy as part of its efforts to boost broadband connectivity in the county.
It includes a focus on inclusion, infrastructure and systems leadership and comes with a call for assurance from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) that no properties in Hampshire will be left without gigabit capable connectivity.
The latter point involves ensuring that the 2.2% of properties that did not benefit from the Superfast Broadband programme will have their internet speeds upgraded at the earliest opportunity.
The Digital Future Strategy emphasises the need for a more joined up approach towards digital inclusion that involves the local authorities, third sector organisations and businesses. It says there is a real opportunity, particularly around skills provision, to develop a more strategic approach in the commissioning of relevant programmes.
DSIT programme
For digital infrastructure, it emphasises the importance of DSIT’s Project Gigabit, which has replaced the Superfast Broadband programme in providing vouchers for gigabit capable connectivity in remote areas.
The systems leadership element emphasises that it is not just about the public sector collaborating but working together with the market, and that while the council does not have a direct role it may have an opportunity to influence technology and telecoms businesses in solving key digital challenges.
It says the authority could have a role as an enabler in making the conditions for investment attractive.
“There may be future opportunities for the county council to directly invest in digital infrastructure where there is currently no market led provision,” the paper says. “However, any future decision would need to align to the agreed financial principles of any capital investment or revenue funding needing to generate a direct positive net financial return to the county council.”
No-one left behind
Council leader Cllr Rob Humby said: “We recognise that the national Superfast Broadband programme has been very successful and, in Hampshire, has meant that almost 98% of premises across the county are benefitting from higher internet speeds. Without the programme and this public subsidy, they would have otherwise missed out on being upgraded due to the lack of commercial viability for service providers to do so.
“However, we want no-one left behind. Being able to connect digitally is vital for so many reasons in our day-to-day lives – for things like making health appointments, staying connected with friends and family, working or learning from home, and using online banking to manage our finances. And being able to have fast and efficient online access will become increasingly fundamental to the way we manage our day-to-day lives.
“It is for this reason that we are seeking a commitment that the Government national Project Gigabit initiative will achieve 100% connectivity to fast and reliable broadband services.”
The council has also urged eligible residents and businesses to take advantage of the Project Gigabit voucher scheme.
