Minutes:
Ross is the Regulatory Affairs Manager, Telecoms, Consumer and Post Policy at OFCOM Scotland. He gave a
presentation on the work of the OFCOM Digital Inclusion team. In December,
OFCOM published their annual report and there is an on their website
with information on fixed and mobile connectivity at a Local Authority level. Full fibre broadband is
now available to 50% of properties in Scotland (1.4M households) with an annual
8% increase of gigabit capable connectivity and an increase in 5G mobile connectivity.
84% of households in Scotland are covered by at least one of the four main network providers for
4G mobile connectivity. In Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æ and Bute,
superfast broadband has seen a 4% increase, meaning over 1400 more properties
can now access superfast broadband compared to 2022. Harder to reach areas in
Scotland are seeing an increase in the uptake of satellite technology to deliver
connectivity and the affordability of those services is beginning to improve.
There has also been a good increase of 2% to the level of 4G geographic coverage in the area.
Ross is aware of concerns around the resilience of the technology
network in more rural parts of Scotland and OFCOM are with providers to provide greater
clarity on their need to comply with security duties, such as battery power
back ups, and the infrastructure that is required to ensure connectivity
remains in the event of power cuts. OFCOM have no control over the switch off
of PSTN, but OFCOM can work with providers to ensure that support is provided
to support that transition for vulnerable people. OFCOM are looking at what more can be done at network infrastructure
level and are
looking to start a dialogue and
discussion about what sort of aspects should be considered as part of this (e.g. how long is back up needed for?, what are the critical services that
locals need to access to in a power cut?, etc),
and Ross welcomed input from the CPP on
this. The feedback will be included in future OFCOM guidance to providers.
ACTION – CPP members to feed back to
Ross on what power backup Mobile Network Operators can and should provide.
Ross advised there has been a significant increase in the number of
social tariff take- ups, however he felt there was still a lack of awareness
that these tariffs existed. It
was highlighted that TalkTalk are the only major operator not
providing social tariffs. OFCOM are also taking action on mobile and
broadband in-contract price rises and any increase
must be noted clearly on sign up in a pounds and pence amount. Consultation on
this ends in February 2024 with the hope it will be in place for any potential contract rises in 2025.
Pippa thanked Ross for his presentation and noted that connectivity
issues also affect the availability of cheaper smart meter utilities tariffs
for Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æ and Bute residents, as smart meters are not able to connect to
suppliers. She was glad to see improvements in coverage across the area but
felt the progress was still very slow due to the cost and complexity of
installing infrastructure to cover existing gaps.
ACTION – Partners are encouraged to across their networks.
Pippa asked how the CPP can highlight these issues more strongly to
OFCOM and anyone else who can exert influence on this. Ross responded that
service providers had met with the UK Government prior to Christmas and agreed further voluntary commitments to
support the transition to VOIP for telecoms, agreeing that there are challenges in the roll-out of technologies to support that and
also in providing adequate broadband coverage. He hoped that the Scottish
Government would continue to find innovative solutions to those problems for fixed and mobile
connectivity. He added that OFCOM are engaging as much as they can to support
and advise on the development of delivery programs.
He recognised the increased cost of living for those living in rural areas but
the market is generally functioning well in terms of competition and affordable
options for customers. Ross noted that OFCOM leadership are very attuned to
these issues too and that climate change was included for the first time in the
December Connected Nations report.
ACTION – CPP to write to OFCOM and
OFGEM highlighting concerns around connectivity and cost of living pressures in
Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æ and Bute for telecoms, broadband and smart metered utilities provision.
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Takki reiterated concerns around network resilience and the link between
broadband access, telephone lines and power. A recent 16 hour power cut in his home
area led to over 800 households all trying to utilise the existing poor 4G
framework at the same time which highlighted the lack of resilience in the system. He added that
providers really need to be planning for the rise in extreme adverse weather
conditions and associated impacts on networks. Takki also expressed concern
that the criteria for social tariffs may not include those who are working but
still in poverty and in the reduction of postal services across Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æ and Bute. Ross advised
that OFCOM regulate Royal Mail, who have had significant challenges, and they
have levied a £5.5 million fine on them for failing to meet delivery targets.
Andy was keen to continue discussions
with Ross off table as Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æ and Bute has a lot of isolated communities who will be heavily dependent on
resilience but are likely to have the least resilient infrastructure.
ACTION – Andy and Ross to meet offline
to discuss how telecoms providers assess risk for vulnerability versus
likelihood of outages.
Paul then provided an update on the HMIE
Community Learning and Development (CLD) Inspection which took place on 8th and 9th January. The auditors provided a positive
response to the inspection and found that the self evaluation was accurate
and well structured and advised they would not be returning. Inspectors noted
that the team is looking at developing the reporting structure
of the CLD Plan and that the new
strategic plan for CLD should be available in September 2024. The final HMIE
report will be published in 6 – 8 weeks.
Rona reiterated the involvement of the ACPG
Chairs and Vice Chairs in the audit in a focus group on Community Voice, which
is part of the Community Empowerment priority within CLD. She
also noted that that the CLD has been promoting social tariffs as part of its
links to digital skills, and it has been included in both CPP and Community
Development bulletins. In community planning, and particularly at ACPGs, the
discussions that happen are very much a part of community learning and
development and in raising digital awareness in communities.
Pippa gave thanks to everyone involved in the
audit.
ACTION – Paul to circulate HMIE Inspection report when available.
Supporting documents: