CW Talk: Full fibre to every home by 2025: A bold vision or a failure to grasp reality?

Brought to you by Cambridge Wireless

This debate will get beyond the polite political rhetoric to ask whether this vision is helpful or hopelessly flawed.

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About the event

The UK has less than 10% fibre penetration. Politicians have aspired to much better and industry has responded with many new "altnets" emerging and with existing players such as OpenReach and Virgin increasing their rate of deployment. But at current rates, 100% penetration by 2035 might be more realistic, and that is only if the funding issues for less economic areas are successfully addressed. And is fibre to every home even necessary, or will cable, hybrid fibre-coax, fixed wireless or even 5G be sufficient for some?

This evening event will feature two experts putting forward their opinions on whether the Government's proposals are achievable or over-ambitious. The agenda offers plenty of time in the Open Forum for audience members to challenge the speakers and express their views. Our speakers are:

  • Stephen Unger - Flint Global - Steve was until recently a Board member of Ofcom, the UK regulator responsible for digital communications. He had various responsibilities, including setting regulatory strategy for the UK, representing Ofcom internationally, and leading Ofcom’s research programmes in both technology and economics. Before becoming a regulator he spent several years in the private sector, working with technology start-ups developing new digital technologies. Going forward he will be working (as a consultant and an academic researcher) on the practical implications of disruptive technology change.
  • Martin Duckworth - Associate Director, Frontier Economics - Martin Duckworth is a Director in Frontier Economics ’s Communications Practice and has over 20 years’ experience as an adviser to world leading operators, regulators and policy makers. During this period Martin has been at the forefront of developments both in the UK and other liberalised markets in around the world.  Martin has advised operators on significant strategic decisions including mobile licence bids, fibre deployment and mergers and acquisition. Martin’s recent work has included developing the fibre investment model used by the DCMS to underlie its analysis of the Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review, producing submissions to the EC on the potential impact of the Vodafone-Liberty transaction on the potential for fibre build in Germany, advising a UK operator on strategic options for entry into the fixed broadband market and developing a decision model for eir, the Irish incumbent to decide on the optimal approach to upgrading its FTTC network to FTTP.

You can follow @CambWireless on Twitter and tweet about this event using #CW_Talks.

Hosted by Central Working

The UK’s premier homegrown shared work space provider, transforming the way people work and companies grow.

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Agenda

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The information supplied below may be subject to change before the event.

16:30

Registration and networking

17:00

Introduction to CW Talks from Simon Mead, CEO, Cambridge Wireless (CW)

17:05

Welcome from CW Talks curator

17:10

Martin Duckworth, Frontier Economics

17:40

Stephen Unger, Independent

18:10

Open Forum

18:40

Wrap-up

18:45

End of session followed by networking and refreshments

19:30

Event closes

Speakers

Martin Duckworth - Associate Director, Frontier Economics

Martin Duckworth is a Director in Frontier Economics ’s Communications Practice and has over 20 years’ experience as an adviser to world leading operators, regulators and policy makers. During this period Martin has been at the forefront of developments both in the UK and other liberalised markets in around the world.

Martin has advised operators on significant strategic decisions including mobile licence bids, fibre deployment and mergers and acquisition. Martin’s recent work has included developing the fibre investment model used by the DCMS to underlie its analysis of the Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review, producing submissions to the EC on the potential impact of the Vodafone-Liberty transaction on the potential for fibre build in Germany, advising a UK operator on strategic options for entry into the fixed broadband market and developing a decision model for eir, the Irish incumbent to decide on the optimal approach to upgrading its FTTC network to FTTP.

Stephen Unger - Flint Global

Stephen has spent much of his career working with wireless technologies. He started out using radio telescopes for astronomical research, before gaining his first commercial experience with Ionica, the Cambridge company that built the world’s first fixed wireless network.

He then moved to Ofcom, the UK regulator for digital communications. He was an executive member of Ofcom’s Board, served as Ofcom’s Chief Technology Officer, and as Acting Chief Executive. He led the teams responsible for setting strategy for digital communications in the UK, and for representing the UK internationally.

Stephen now holds a portfolio of non-executive and advisory roles in the technology sector. A common theme across his portfolio is an interest in how innovators, entrepreneurs, and government can work together to generate economic growth and social value.

Event Location

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Location info

Central Working Victoria, 25 Ecclestone Place, London SW1W 9NF

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