Fionnuala Furmston

Thinking outside the box for rural connectivity - UK's SRN - a role model of a new collaborative digital divide gap-fill strategy for Canada to consider? The UK SRN - or "Shared Rural Network" is a variant among a class of collaborative multi-carrier "shared network" or "neutral host" models in telecom, and an interesting approach that could work to finally beat #Canada's #chronic #rural #digital #divide. New innovative solutions for Canada to consider vs. more of the same old status-quo.. Vodafone's 200 new rural #cellular sites serve multiple carriers in the UK's SRN in a creative #sharedaccess & Public-Private-Partnership (P3) investment approach, and in areas that would have been still left behind with the status quo. Interesting Vodafone article below that shows international carriers *can* operate successfully within such shared models. For Canadians unfamiliar with the approach (since we've had essentially one legacy vertically-integrated model used in Canada for the past 40 years of telecom regulation) I recommend a quick read of this Vodafone experience article, & also I recommend a read of UK OFCOM's recent "Connected Nations" report (see link below).. Innovation & new approaches can help more quickly bridge Canada's longstanding rural & First Nations digital divide & 911 access gaps. https://lnkd.in/gFQBpbMw? #newsolutions #beatthestatusquo #ISED #CRTC #regulatory #spectrum #innovation #sharednetworks #sharedruralnetwork #newsolutions #digitaldivide #ruralbroadband #ruralconnectivity #ruraleconomy #Canadasdigitaldivide #Canada #Ontario #FirstNations #telecom #communications #telecommunications #4G #5G #6G #PSBN #thefutureisnow #Northerncommunities #connectivity #911dispatch #infrastructure #ruralsolutions #newpaths #communitysafety #digitaleconomy #911accessforall

24

The Shadow Transport Secretary Louise Haigh recently unveiled Labour’s plans for the UK railway system.     We were pleased to see mobile connectivity, including 5G, recognised as a core way to improve passenger service quality.    The integration of advanced 5G technology can transform travel, offering passengers seamless internet access for work and entertainment and providing railway staff with instant access to crucial operational data.    In addition, implementing 5G-enabled sensors on railway tracks could significantly improve infrastructure. Our research shows that by reducing faults and delays, these upgrades are expected to save over 25 million hours for passengers over the next five years, boosting both productivity and well-being with an estimated value of £326 million.    As a result of our proposed merger with Three UK, we can provide extensive 5G coverage for the majority of the UK’s railway stations and tracks, contributing to a more efficient and connected future for UK rail transport.   #TogetherWeCan #5G 

477

5 Comments

In a market dominated by fibre, licensed 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) is increasingly becoming the top choice of connectivity for SMEs. Darren Morgan, COO at Comsol, reveals why businesses are making the switch: faster deployment, superior reliability, and seamless scalability. Read the full article here: #5gfwa #fwa #businessconnectivity #fixedwirelessaccess https://lnkd.in/dF_Z9uMQ

49

1 Comment

Great to be on the main stage at Connected Britain moderating a panel. Many interesting points were raised - including the focus on best-in-class build and connection costs, the drive to cash breakeven, whether the market will split wholesale providers and retail ISPs, the difficulty of aligning multiple investors in consolidation which will limit the pace of consolidation and increase the possibility of distressed assets, a switch to rural build for some players to get first mover advantage and resetting take up expectations in the likelihood of 3x overbuild for most premises on average.

30

2 Comments