Digital Infrastructure Programme
Our digital infrastructure programme is delivering improved digital connectivity across the sub-region.
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 114,000 premises in our sub-region 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
114,000
premises have slow or no connectivity in our sub-region
£20m
we have secured £20m investment but need more to improve connectivity
Cllr Anthony Okereke, Chair of Local London and Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, said “As the fastest growing part of the capital with a population greater than the cities of Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool combined, we are committed to creating inclusive growth for people and businesses in our sub-region. Investment in digital infrastructure to tackle over 100,000 premises without gigabit capable broadband connectivity is fundamental to achieving this and supporting local, regional and national economic growth.”
How we are improving digital connectivity in our 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.
Map showing low and no connectivity areas across Local London
What we are doing
- 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.
Connectivity across political boundaries
We are working closely with the Thames Estuary Growth Board and were delighted to share insights into digital investment needs across our boroughs in the Thames Estuary Growth Board’s recently launched ‘Fair Economic Growth through Digital Connectivity’ paper.
The paper sets out the Growth Board’s plan to establish the Thames Estuary region as the UK’s next AI and digital powerhouse. We back the Board’s call to action for targeted support and bold public-private sector collaboration across east London, north Kent and south Essex to drive forward the UK’s digital future.
Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, Local London representative of the Thames Estuary Growth Board and Mayor of Newham London, said “We know that digital inclusion is vital for our people as the impact of technology and the digital age is changing how we live and accessibility will inform life chances. The government has placed a priority on addressing digital access because the digital exclusion numbers are stark, with 1.6 million people in the UK currently not online. Across the Local London area it is even more pronounced, with 100,000 premises not connected or amongst the lowest level of digital capability meaning that the opportunities of life are curtailed.
That’s why we have an ambition through our involvement in the Thames Estuary digital corridor, which will bring high-speed connectivity to east London as this report sets out. It will enable digital inclusion for our people so that they can seize the opportunities of economic growth, over sustaining digital ‘not spots’ which is holding our people back. That’s why fair economic growth through digital connectivity in our boroughs and across the Thames Estuary region is a must.”
Our investment opportunity
While we have secured around £20m investment into our boroughs to improve digital connectivity, our research highlights barriers preventing us from achieving ubiquitous world-class connectivity befitting of expectation of being part of London.
As a result, we need additional funding to:
- Expand dark fibre spines – notably to growth areas but also key areas of regeneration.
- Enhance service provision to public sector sites and assets.
- Anchor inward investment.
- Deliver local business and residential support to drive adoption (awareness, stimulation and possible connection subsidy.)
- Facilitate enhanced mobile coverage and capacity (eg neutral hosts, use of assets.)
Find out more in our 'Delivering Economic Growth in Local London: Digital Connectivity Requirements' paper.
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
