What impact will the copper switch off have on the resilience for networks and their usage? How might it impact public sector service providers, such as care homes, emergency services and other NHS sites? How aware are customers that the copper switch off is taking place and what risks come from this for the market?

Background

BDUK wishes to develop a stronger evidence base around the telecoms market and how it functions at a national level. In these markets, BDUK is interested in increasing understanding of infrastructure planning and decision making, as well as how infrastructure maintenance can be ensured in the long term.

BDUK would like more insight into the barriers to delivery of gigabit and mobile roll-out across the UK and what technological innovations may assist in this. International comparisons for gigabit and mobile connectivity roll out would also be beneficial.

Cutting across all programmes, BDUK wants to understand more about the impacts of fixed and mobile connectivity, specifically how greater connectivity benefits businesses, residents, and public sector organisations. In addition, BDUK also needs more evidence on the behavioural changes connectivity makes to residents and businesses which have been connected, and the wider impacts this may have.

Lastly, BDUK is interested in more evidence on the environmental impact of its work.

Next steps

If you are keen to register your interest in working and connecting with DSIT Digital Technology and Telecoms Group and/or submitting evidence, then please complete the DSIT-ARI Evidence survey - https://dsit.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cDfmK2OukVAnirs.
Please view full details: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/department-for-science-innovation-and-technology-areas-of-research-interest/dsit-areas-of-research-interest-2024

Source

This question was published as part of the set of ARIs in this document:

DSIT Areas of Research Interest 2024 GOV UK

Related UKRI funded projects


  • FlexiFone: Improving Mobile Network Coverage across the UK

    FlexiFone aims to improve mobile network coverage across the UK by offering a multi-network mobile service. Customers can simultaneously connect to and can automatically switch between EE, O2, Vodafone & Three, based...

    Funded by: TMF

    Lead research organisation: FLEXIFONE TELECOMMUNICATIONS LIMITED

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project focuses on improving mobile network coverage, which is related to the impact of copper switch off on network resilience and usage.

  • High Speed (400Mbps) Broadband over existing Copper

    Proof of Concept trials have shown that it is feasible to deliver up to 400 Mbps over standard copper telephone wires by reconfiguring the architecture into DSL Rings®, the first major change to the copper telephone ...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: GENESIS TECHNICAL SYSTEMS (UK) LIMITED

    Why might this be relevant?

    Partially relevant as it focuses on broadband speed over copper wires, but does not address the impact on resilience or public sector service providers.

  • Last mile broadband for rural UK via Integrated Access Backhaul

    Broadband is an essential tool for empowering populations and a key priority in the 21st century due to its transformative power as an enabler for economic and social growth. It leads to increased income and reduced unem...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: ORB CONNECT LTD

    Why might this be relevant?

    Partially relevant as it addresses last-mile broadband for rural areas, but does not specifically discuss the impact of copper switch off on resilience or public sector service providers.