Access Broadband Cymru (ABC) Scheme Review

Description

The broadband infrastructure picture in Wales is complex with a number of supply side and demand side interventions delivered by the Welsh Government, UK Government, city and growth deal areas and local authorities. The various initiatives represent a hierarchy of interventions from mass supply side interventions building on the success of the Superfast Cymru project, through community level projects funded through the local authority and social enterprise focused Local Broadband Fund, smaller scale interventions through topping up the UK Government gigabit vouchers and then to grant funding for individual premises through the Access Broadband Cymru scheme. This is a crowded and complex landscape and the Welsh Government wants to review the Access Broadband Cymru scheme, understand the need for a demand led scheme in Wales and, if appropriate, make recommendations for a scheme to deliver fast and reliable broadband to those premises that will not benefit from other schemes already in existence or suggest other approaches to reach the same end. The Welsh Government is looking to appoint a supplier to undertake a review of the current Access Broadband Cymru scheme to include: • Whether it meets the Welsh Government’s strategic objectives. • The appropriateness of the technologies currently funded. • The ease of the application process from the standpoint of the consumer, the communications provider and the Welsh Government. • The sustainability of the supplier market under the current ABC scheme, specifically their reliance on the scheme. Investigate the current broadband landscape, including through engagement with stakeholders, to identify whether there is a need for a Welsh Government led scheme by: • Assessing the impact and potential impact of current government and commercial interventions being delivered in Wales to address those premises without access to fast and reliable broadband. • In light of the impact and potential impact of these schemes determining whether there is a need for a Welsh Government led intervention to deliver fast and reliable broadband that complements and adds to the current range of schemes in place. • Assessing other approaches such as funding local engagement officers or communications driven approaches. • Investigating in particular 4G and satellite based solutions and whether there is a need for publicly funded intervention to deliver them, with a particular focus on affordability. If a scheme, either the ABC scheme or another, or other approaches are required make recommendations as to the future design of any scheme or approach including: • The type of approach: vouchers, grants, supply side procurement, engagement etc. • The most appropriate technologies to be the focus of any new scheme. • Who should deliver the new scheme: Welsh Government, Local Authorities, and Social Enterprises etc. • The geographic extent of any scheme. • Outlining the customer journey for any new scheme