In a bid to address digital disparities in London, the ‘Sub-regional Digital Infrastructure Strategy’ has been unveiled. Piloted by Local London and the South London Partnership, this plan spotlights the digital infrastructural deficiencies in 14 south and east London boroughs, with hundreds of thousands of premises affected by poor digital connectivity.
Notably, over 156,000 premises across these areas lack access to a Gigabit capable broadband service, with many residing in a ‘not spot’ where even a 30 Mbps service remains unattainable. This visual mapping of the digital deserts paves a path for combined efforts from the public and private sectors, constructing a proficient digital infrastructure for some of the city’s rapidly growing areas.
The strategy, commissioned by the Mayor of London’s Infrastructure Coordination Service, forms part of a larger initiative. It includes an interactive mapping tool and a digital toolkit designed to aid borough officers in rolling out digital infrastructure and attracting additional commercial investment.
Theo Blackwell MBE, Chief Digital Officer, Greater London Authority, pointed out, “Widely available, easily accessible digital connectivity is essential for people to reach public services and is key to helping cities grow through driving innovation and the creation of new businesses.”
He indicated that the lack of commercial investment in certain parts of London, resulting in internet coverage gaps or ‘not spots’, needs to be addressed. The aim is to improve the quality and accessibility of services that are already available, and make the capital a more equitable city for all.
Endorsing the initiative, Cllr Baroness O’Neill of Bexley OBE, Chairman of Local London, described the strategy as a step-by-step guide for public sector colleagues. The plan is designed to unlock investment and maximize the existing infrastructure, benefiting people and businesses in the area.
“This joint strategy demonstrates the benefits of a cross-boundary approach.” said Cllr Gareth Roberts, Chair, South London Partnership. He emphasised the strategic goal of bringing their digital infrastructure in line with other UK urban areas, while addressing the unique social and economic circumstances within each borough.
The ‘Sub-regional Digital Infrastructure Strategy’ is a strategic blueprint illustrating the repercussions of poor digital infrastructure, with case studies and examples demonstrating effective actions and benefits. The game plan includes recommendations on public sector resourcing and roles, industry engagement, procurement options, commercial models, and key elements of a successful delivery strategy. Ultimately empowering London with world-class digital infrastructure is the agenda.
