Digital infrastructure

Contrary to perception, hundreds of thousands of addresses in London are affected by slow digital connectivity, causing digital inequalities that impede the lives of people and businesses.

Over 150,000 premises in south and east London do not have access to high speed – Gigabit capable – internet connections, based on the latest Ofcom Connected Nations research. We are working with the private sector and our boroughs to change this and improve digital connectivity across our sub-region.

Map of slow broadband connections and not-spots in our sub-region

How we are improving digital connectivity in our London sub-region

Our programme is stimulating investment and is making our boroughs more attractive for both the telecommunications industry and the subsequent leverage of inward investment by highly skilled digital intensive industries. This is:

• Increasing local productivity and employment.
• Reducing gaps in access to digital services across the region through increased availability and lowered cost of ownership – accompanied by a focus on skills and demand stimulation.
• Enhancing ability to deliver local services, notably education, health, community safety and transport.
• Creating environmental benefits.

Our activities include:

• Funding and procuring full fibre infrastructure to public sites across the region.
• Proactively engaging with the telecommunications industry to stimulate investment and remove barriers.
• Establishing wayleave agreements to stimulate fibre connectivity in social housing.
• Establishing clear organisation structures to ensure dialogue between the public sector and the telecommunications industry is enhanced and digital infrastructure is at the heart of the regions programmes.

Discover more

Discover more about the UK’s digital strategy and our strategy for our sub-region and boroughs in the South London Partnership at londondigitaltoolkit.org.uk