3.107 To achieve the best superfast broadband service in Europe by 2015, the Government:
• is removing unnecessary barriers to and supporting the expansion of network infrastructure across the UK. For instance, it is accelerating national roll-out of superfast broadband by deregulating overhead deployment and publishing advice notes on streamlining streetworks and micro-trenching. This will make it easier to deploy superfast broadband and support Local Authorities in implementing their Local Broadband Plans and will support both public and private investment plans including BT's £2.5 billion fibre broadband rollout programme;
• is investing £530 million of funding (up to 2015) to extend superfast broadband coverage, including to rural areas, where the commercial case for investment is more challenging, delivered by Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK). BDUK expect that, with successful implementation of their programme, coverage of superfast broadband should improve from 58 per cent today to at least 90 per cent in each local area by 2015, in line with Government objectives;
• has supported significant progress on opening up access to BT's ducts and poles to support broadband rollout by competitors, and BT's revised offers include prices that are substantially lower than the initial offer in January (up to 60 per cent in some cases);
• wants to use the European Regional Development Fund to roll out superfast Broadband. It is issuing draft guidance next week, which takes a flexible approach to ensure local areas can benefit. Up to £100 million may be available and the Government will work with local partners to start making this happen; and
• will support local authorities' Local Broadband Plans which, in combination with BDUK and local, European and private sector funding, will help deliver superfast broadband to all Enterprise Zones by 2015.
3.108 The Government has also announced further support for broadband in the Autumn Statement. These measures are set out in Chapter 2.
3.109 To enable a high performance, high speed mobile data and voice network, the Government:
• will invest up to £150 million to improve the coverage and quality of mobile services for the 5 to 10 per cent of consumers in areas of the UK where existing mobile coverage is poor or non-existent, with the aim of extending coverage to 99 per cent of the UK population. The Government will begin its procurement of new mobile infrastructure by spring 2012 and businesses and consumers will start to benefit from improved mobile coverage from early 2013 onwards;
• will explore whether there is scope for enhancing mobile coverage along transport corridors, in particular through better co-ordination between the rail sector and mobile operators;
• also encourages the progress London Underground is making on installation of Wi-Fi at 120 key stations in time for the Olympics;
• will support Ofcom in ensuring that the 4G spectrum auction commences by the end of 2012 in order for the 4G spectrum to be used as it becomes available in 2013; and
• announced in the Spending Review 2010 the intention to release at least 500MHz of spectrum below 5GHz (around 20 per cent) from public sector holdings for mobile communications. Work is underway to examine a shortlist of bands and 474MHz of public spectrum with potential for release have so far been identified. Action is underway by the Ministry of Defence to free 160MHz from the 2.3 GHz-2.4 GHz and 3.4 GHz-3.6 GHz bands by the end of 2016. A further 40MHz from the above bands could to be released by 2020. The Ministry of Defence has also identified 3500 MHz-3580 MHz for immediate short term sharing opportunities, which along with some spectrum from between the 3410 MHz-3480 MHz band is due to be released in 2015/2016. The Government is also examining the feasibility of releasing up to 150MHz of spectrum in the longer term from two other bands: 2.7 GHz-3.1 GHz and 4.4 GHz-5.0 GHz. These bands are not yet harmonised for public mobile, but may have valuable uses in the longer term.
3.110 The Government will continue to consider the case for further release of spectrum. Decisions here can only be taken in the context of decisions on alternative spectrum uses, including the requirements of the Public Service Broadcasters, emergency services and other public service uses.
3.111 In most cases, the market will be best placed to confront future challenges and deliver for consumers and businesses. It is important that the UK's regulatory framework removes unnecessary barriers to the future innovation required in the sector.
3.112 To ensure the communications industry remains responsive to technological developments, innovative and competitive, the Government will undertake a wide-scale review of the regulatory framework supporting the UK communications sector. The review will focus on establishing ways in which the Government can drive growth and innovation in the sector. The aim is to strip away unnecessary regulation, remove barriers to growth and stimulate the secondary market for spectrum in order to improve efficiency. Work undertaken throughout 2011 will result in the publication of a Green Paper early next year setting out options for a regulatory framework to support the communications sector. Consultation about the proposals in the Green Paper will inform a White Paper and a draft bill which will be completed by mid-2013, with an aim to have the legislation in place by the end of this Parliament.