While strides have been made, challenges remain in improving the UK’s digital connectivity.

Edinburgh-based connectivity consultancy, FarrPoint, surveyed over 100 digital leaders at local authorities across Scotland, England, and Wales in December 2022 to assess their views on digital connectivity progress.

This is the first UK-wide research to look at priorities across fixed and mobile connectivity specifically within local authority areas – and the barriers that can prevent progress.

A range of topics – from gigabit broadband to 5G, smart places, telecoms and net zero – were touched on by the survey.

Dr Andrew Muir, Chief Executive at FarrPoint, said: “Our research highlighted some good progress on digital connectivity within local authorities, but there are still some areas for further development.”

Almost all responding councils (97%) believed their organisation recognised the priority and importance of digital connectivity and its fundamental role in their area’s competitiveness.

Gigabit-enabled broadband was recognised across the board as playing a vital role in enabling regions to remain competitive, with nearly all respondents saying their organisation has a role to play in ensuring gigabit is delivered in their area.

“With the focus from national government and industry on rolling out gigabit services and investments in fibre, it is not surprising that this was the area where we saw most progress from councils in 2022,” Muir said.

“There have also been improvements in 4G coverage, and to a lesser extent 5G, along with some advancements in smart places and IoT.”

100% of councils felt at least reasonably well informed about digital connectivity coverage in their area.

Despite this recognised knowledge and importance, only 43% of councils said they have an up-to-date digital connectivity strategy, with around 12% having no digital connectivity strategy at all.

Councils still appear to be catching up on several fronts: 60% of them want to ensure their area is fully covered by 4G before investing more in 5G.

Further, many councils felt under-prepared for the upcoming telecoms switch-offs, with over 25% having no plans in place to deal with this issue.

Even though Internet of Things (IoT) devices are becoming more and more the standard, only 43% of local authorities had deployed smart places technologies, with around one in four uncertain about the benefits.

Though achieving net zero is a UK-wide priority, 80% of councils responding to the survey were unsure how improved connectivity can reduce carbon emissions.

“The least progress was seen on ensuring digital connectivity is aligned with net-zero targets, suggesting this is an area that isn’t fully understood yet, despite the overwhelming majority of local authorities having declared climate emergencies in their area,” Muir commented.

Most councils listed a lack of funding from central government as the biggest barrier to improving their local connectivity, followed closely by deployment issues.

Up-take of digital connectivity was also a struggle, according to the report, with 27% of councils saying affordablity was a barrier, following by availability of services (24%), a lack of awareness (17%), and a lack of digital skills (13%).

Recommended

• How Will the Met Tower Redevelopment Add to Glasgow’s Tech Sector?
• Who Do British People Trust the Most and Least With Their Data?
• SBRC: Four-day Week Could Help Close Skills Gap

Ceren Clulow, director of Connecting Cambridgeshire, who contributed to the report on the survey, added: “Digital connectivity is key to supporting regional development priorities with clear economic growth potential.

“As someone who works in a local authority, and closely collaborates with other councils, operators, and telecoms industry bodies, I really welcome this report.

“It raises the importance of connectivity and the key role local authorities have to play in achieving the leading edge digital infrastructure needed for businesses and communities to thrive.

“Having a unified digital infrastructure strategy, with clear actions and timescales, is essential for all local authorities.”

Get all the latest news from DIGIT direct to your inbox

Our newsletter covers the latest technology and IT news from Scotland and beyond, as well as in-depth features and exclusive interviews with leading figures and rising stars.

To subscribe, click here.