Agenda item

Sajad Rashid, ICT Project Manager, presented the report noting that the Digital Connectivity Strategy had been considered at Cabinet on 2 September. There were 3 strands to the Strategy:

1)    Digital place - to uplift the structure of the Borough. Current data showed that the level of Full Fibre was 5% in Hillingdon compared to an average of 20% in West London;

2)    Digital Council – Hillingdon wanted to be investor ready to encourage investment in the Borough; and

3)    Digital Inclusion – the pandemic had highlighted the fact that many people were unable to access the internet due to the Digital Poverty.

In February 2021, a consultancy team had been set up led by Perry Scott. A steering group was held every six weeks with all the services within the Borough to ensure transparency. The aim was to achieve a single channel of digital inclusion for the Borough. In terms of progress to date, a Wayleave Agreement had been signed with Openreach who had agreed to invest approximately £7m in telecoms exchanges including 7 in the Borough – 2 of these had already been uplifted to Fibre Optic. Openreach were currently doing surveys for the Council to uplift social housing in multiple dwelling units. Moreover, Wayleave agreements had been signed with Community Fibre who had agreed to assist to Full-Fibre the Borough’s social housing and to provide 10 free Full-Fibre connections for community centres or community spaces. With regards to 4G, Telefonica had expressed a desire to upgrade their network availability across the Borough by installing 4G small cells technology which would alleviate the network congestion they were experiencing. In terms of 5G, few operators were trying to come into the Borough at present. However, some planning applications had been received. Fortunately planning colleagues had agreed to consult with the Digital Connectivity project team to establish whether the applications were viable or otherwise.

In response to Members’ requests for further clarification, it was explained that Fibre Optic was underground therefore there was no requirement for large boxes on the surface; however, small boxes on telegraph poles were a possibility and there would be more boxes on buildings. For 4G and 5G small cells there would be additional cabinets on streets and boxes placed on columns. 5G technology necessitated the erection of 20m masts hence was likely to have the most significant impact on the street scene. It was confirmed that BT work was predominantly under the ground and, once in place, the fibres could be used by residents or businesses with any provider as they all rented the same line.

In response to their enquiries, Members heard that Fibre Optic was essential for future proofing as this technology was required for 5G small cells. It was not thought that any other boroughs in the West London Alliance had signed agreements with Openreach. The benefit of Openreach was that it offered open access so any provider could rent the line whereas Community Fibre did not offer this flexibility. In terms of timescales Openreach aimed to have surveyed all properties in Hillingdon by the end of the year and planned to start building at the beginning of 2022. Thereafter implementation would be on a rolling basis and would be monitored. 

In response to Members’ requests for clarification regarding the laying of fibres, it was confirmed that, in addition to Openreach, agreements had been signed with Community Fibre (who would be laying their own fibres) and a Wayleave Agreement was currently being signed with Hyperoptic. Members were informed that the existing telephone exchange would be utilised but other providers would probably add a splitting device at the exchange from which they ran their own cables using the existing ducting of Openreach. It was confirmed that service providers would use the existing Openreach infrastructure where possible and would not need to dig up pavements to create their own networks. 

Councillors suggested that the word ‘with’ at the bottom of page 35 of the agenda pack should be replaced by ‘and’ to read ‘the Borough’s social housing and the addition of….’ In terms of social housing, Members heard that Fibre would be connected to both individual houses and estates so everyone would benefit from the faster technology in the longer term. Members queried the ‘levelling up’ programme to improve digital connectivity in the North of the Borough as referenced on page 48 of the agenda pack and enquired why the North of the Borough needed extra investment. It was confirmed that there were some black spots in parts of the north of the Borough where connectivity was low.

In response to further questions from the Committee, it was confirmed that Hillingdon had fallen behind because channels of communication had not been open. Moreover, 5G masts applications had often been rejected due to siting and appearance concerns. The Digital Strategy demonstrated that Hillingdon was now open for business and ready to engage with providers.

Members commented that it may not be advisable to use multiple service providers across the Borough and recommended that infrastructure be kept to a minimum. In response to Members’ requests for clarification it was confirmed that the main contributors were Openreach, Community Fibre and Hyperoptic – all these parties lobbied Government for funding and some were able to access grants. It was felt that one service provider might be more efficient – it would be useful to be appraised of the works as they progressed.

RESOLVED: That the Committee noted the Council’s plans for digital connectivity.