Agenda item

Report deferred from the 19 October 2023 meeting.

Considered – Report of Robert Ling, Transformation Director and Alastair Taylor, CEO of NYnet to update on the progress of digital connectivity across North Yorkshire.

The key points highlighted in the report are as summarised below:

·         NYnet, the North Yorkshire owned telecoms company has delivered four phases of Superfast North Yorkshire contracts in conjunction with Building Digital UK (BDUK).

·         In 2009, superfast broadband coverage across North Yorkshire was at approx. 41%. By 2020, coverage had climbed to 94%, with a wireless contract awarded to Quickline in 2020 to increase coverage further by 2024.

·         North Yorkshire Council offers a free WiFi service in 21 market towns across the geography. The service started in 2021 with support from a Government grant to combat the impact of COVID-19. Currently the service across North Yorkshire attracts around 70k users per week and helps to track tourism in some market towns. Discussions are ongoing to look to extend the network.

·         A new ‘Project Gigabit’ has now been launched by BDUK to roll out gigabit-capable broadband to hard to reach premises. Procurement for available lots in North Yorkshire (31 and 8) is ongoing with contract awards expected shortly. It is hoped this will take coverage in North Yorkshire up to approximately 97%.

·         Voucher funding to act as help for people experiencing slow broadband speeds in rural areas has been paused in North Yorkshire. This is expected to reopen after the contract awards for any areas not covered, for other providers to offer demand-led projects.

·         The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has launched trials and a consultation around Very Hard to Reach premises (VHTR). It is likely that North Yorkshire will have a disproportionate amount of VTHR premises (above the average of 0.4%) due to its geography.  The solution for these premises will therefore be of the utmost importance. Alpha trials using Low Earth Orbit Satellite are taking place at Rievaulx Abbey, although superfast broadband has already been made available very close to this area through NYnet.

·         On mobile signal coverage, the county is lagging behind, with North Yorkshire 5G signal patchy despite a national rollout cycle being well underway. 4G is running at around 70%, so we have a significant challenge to face. The Shared Rural Network is progressing forwards but slowly, and officers continue to speak to mobile providers to try and improve the situation. There is a challenge around the siting of masts to facilitate this and install important infrastructure for the future in the best way possible.

·         Smart places are the next wave of innovation and transformation around how we use sensors and monitors as part of the local infrastructure.

·         Public phone boxes are being removed across the country by BT if they meet certain conditions as set out by OFCOM. Public phone boxes can be removed from the community should the area have good mobile coverage from the four major telecoms providers and they have made less than 52 calls in a twelve-month period. This then triggers a planning process to seek their removal. Members were asked to feed back if phone boxes in their divisions are not working and therefore not getting the calls made data that would be expected.

·         The BT/Openreach switchover from the analogue phone network to digital phone lines is ongoing, with a target date of the end of 2025. This will see upgrades from the old copper network to a new digital connection, but this new connection will now require power in order for it to operate, unlike with the copper network. Work is ongoing with NYC service areas to understand those vulnerable residents and those with lifelines who may be affected by this. There is a concern that publicity and communication on this at the moment is limited at the moment, which is of a concern.

Following this, comments and questions raised by the committee included:

·         Do local communities still have the option to buy back the decommissioned public phone boxes to turn them into other uses such as mobile libraries, for the storage of defibrillators or tourism information? It was confirmed that they do.

·         In response to a question on the Project Gigabit rollout, it was explained that properties not currently covered by superfast broadband will be prioritised under the new Project Gigabit. Work is also ongoing to look at ways to make potential solutions such as Starlink more affordable in the most rural areas.

·         A Member shared the concerns raised about poor mobile phone signal across North Yorkshire, even in relatively urban areas. It was asked if more can be done to press the mobile phone operators to do a better job? In response, having a good working relationship with the mobile phone operators is key, but there is a balance to strike. As a county we can make ourselves more open to mobile phone operators, by making it easier and simpler for them to build masts, but we understand that some local residents do not like having these structures sited in particular areas, such as in areas of outstanding natural beauty or in close proximity to residential properties. Becoming a unitary council allows us the chance to develop these working relationships and officers are actively holding discussions to better understand the planning issues involved.

·         If companies are not supporting North Yorkshire residents who require extra support to manage the digital switchover, could the regulator step in to oblige Openreach to fund marketing and publicity campaigns to promote the change? It was highlighted with changes such as the digital switchover, you need people who you can trust to support you through this change. The Council has to use the levers we have, such as talking to voluntary and community organisations and Citizen’s Advice to work with suppliers and providing a safety net for those who slip through the net.

·         The issue of lifeline users who cannot afford broadband was raised. In response, it was accepted we need to do more work around the affordability of broadband provision and look more at it from a more rounded view.

·         The importance of better digital skills to give people greater confidence to use technology was highlighted.

·         It was asked what the publicity requirements are for applicants when planning to install phone masts close to residential properties? It is just a sign required.

·         It was noted that installing fibre internet to premises is a now requirement of planning policy. Openreach will provide FTTP free to sites with 20 or more premises.

·         It was felt that there is always more we can do on skills and good working relationship with providers for broadband and mobile phones to link the infrastructure with digital skills.

Resolved – To note the progress update and the comments received.