CONTENTS
Terms of Reference
Summary
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Background and policy context
The communications revolution
The UK's broadband performance
Broadband infrastructure: Where is the UK
starting from?
Optical fibre
The network architecture and the options
for fibre deployment
Fixed line
Figure 1: Network Architecture
Mobile, wireless and satellite
The Government's strategy
Industry approach
Chapter 3: The case for open access fibre-optic
hubs
Our vision for the UK's broadband infrastructure
Box 1: The open access fibre-optic hub and
dark fibre
Principle 1: Reducing the digital divide
Principle 2: Taking a long-term, but flexible
view, and avoiding the 'speed trap'
Box 2: Definitions of Superfast
Box 3: The speed debate
Principle 3: Reinforcing the resilience of
the network
Additional points relating to the Government's
vision
Chapter 4: Modifying the Government's strategy
Recommendations assuming no change in
the Government's overall approach
A change of approach in Government policy
The impact of inflexibility in the current
policy targets
The wider potential of the Mobile Infrastructure
Project (MIP)
The importance of monitoring infrastructure
providers in relatively non-competitive markets
Box 4: The non-competitive nature of the
BDUK process
PON
Figure 2: Illustration of PON
Box 5: Consequences of PON
Regulatory changes
Box 6: Background to the introduction of
open standards
Chapter 5: Our alternative vision: final
considerations
An alternative direction for broadband
policy
Long-term considerations
Chapter 6: Summary of recommendations
Appendix 1: Select Committee on Communications
Appendix 2: List of Witnesses
Appendix 3: Call for Evidence
Appendix 4: BT
Appendix 5: Glossary
Evidence is published online at www.parliament.uk/hlcomms
and available for inspection at the Parliamentary Archives (020
7219 5314)
References in footnotes to the Report are as follows:
Q refers to a question in oral evidence;
Witness names without a question reference refer
to written evidence.
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