On this episode of Tech Talk Radio, head of content Emily Wright is joined by Cluttons head of research Sophy Moffat to explore the implications of a gradual "watering down" of connectivity targets at government level.
Following the release of the much anticipated Levelling Up white paper earlier this month, it has been noted that while connectivity and technology underpin much of the social advancements outlined within it, there is little focus on improvements to the technology itself.
In fact, says Moffat, the opposite is arguably true. "In the 2019 election manifesto from the Johnson government we had a pledge of 100% Gigabit connectivity to all UK premises by 2025," she says. "Later, in the November 2020 spending review we were told 80-85% of premises covered by 2025. Now, in the Levelling Up white paper, the most recent iteration of targets, we were told we would have nationwide access to Gigabit connectivity by 2030 and that the majority of the population will have 5G access by then. That’s added five years onto the Gigabit target and a good three years on to the target for 5G coverage. That’s where our concern comes from."
On this podcast Moffat explores some of the actions and steps the property industry and local authorities across the UK can take to tackle this issue from raising awareness to supporting the appointment of digital champions at local authority level.
"The sector needs to raise awareness around the fact that many crucial technologies will only be supported with 5G and Gigabit internet in place. Our research also shows that local authorities with digital champions in place and good digital strategies were much more likely to have an effective relationship with digital infrastructure providers and operators. The problem is that less than half of them actually have one in place."
For more on how real estate can, and should, tackle the watering down of connectivity targets and the impact this apparent step down on initial goals could have on the Levelling Up agenda more widely, tune in to this episode of Tech Talk Radio.
In on the Act: The Building Safety Act 2022
Voice of the Region: Retail special – Everything Must Yo-yo
Bricks & Mortar: “If you love something passionately enough, you don’t regard it as work.” DJB’s Madeleine Davitt on her career in real estate
EG Like Sunday Morning: Searching for silver linings
EG Cities Live: Uncovering the impact of freeport status for Southampton
EG Like Sunday Morning: Planning for life sciences, international students and the cost of living
Bricks & Mortar: Former rugby professional Ben Brownlie converts career path to real estate
EG Like Sunday Morning: Know your chips on offices and life sciences
EG Like Sunday Morning: Enough bad news? Hold my Guinness...
Bricks & Mortar: The law firm creating positive change in the property law sector
EG Like Sunday Morning: Life sciences, industrial values and digital twins
On the Case: The Court of Appeal rules on pandemic rent defences
EG Like Sunday Morning: Commonwealth Games and pandemic rent wars
In on the Act: Oliver Radley-Gardner QC on the Electronic Communications Code
Bricks & Mortar: OakNorth Bank’s Greg Manson on gaining MRICS qualification
”Nobody is interested in an app for their building. No one gets turned on by that”
#IAMWOMAN: Showcasing real estate’s phenomenal black women
EG Like Sunday Morning: The heat is on
Voice of the Region: South Yorkshire - Sheffield Sorted for EPCs & Biz
EG Like Sunday Morning: There may be trouble ahead...
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The emPOWERed Half Hour
NABOR® TALKS
U.S Property Podcast
Aligned Money Show
The Ramsey Show
Planet Money