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Following on from Boris Johnson’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ speech, Rishi Sunak outlined his summer economic plan in Parliament today. He detailed what he believed was needed to help the UK recover from the harm that has been inflicted by Covid-19. The crux of the message was that we are moving into the next phase – the plan for jobs, based around ‘protect, support and create jobs’ for the UK.

In March, UK Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden announced new government legislation to ensure that all new-build homes will come with gigabit-speed broadband. Legally, developers will be required to install high-quality digital infrastructure from the outset, making it a priority as part of each build. They will also ensure that broadband companies are on board before the first brick is laid.

Winners of a student design competition will see their creative concepts brought to life by an international technology company. Sixteen students from Staffordshire University’s School of Creative Arts and Engineering took part in a five-day virtual design challenge set by Swedish technology company VX Fiber.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had – and continues to have – an impact on all UK businesses, across all industries, but with varying degrees of complexity and magnitude. It is a situation that has called for quick, impactful changes guided by a commitment to protecting workers and the community at large. In ways large and small, the telecoms industry has stepped up to the plate.

In late April, the FTTH (Fibre to the Home) Council Europe published its 2020 Market Panorama detailing the status of full-fibre connectivity (homes and business) in Europe. According to the report, as of September 2019, there were almost 172 million FTTH/FTTB homes passed in the EU39 countries – up from 160 million from the previous year.

In 2017, Grosvenor Britain & Ireland went into partnership with VX Fiber as part of its drive to transform the digital landscape for residents, commercial occupiers and visitors to its London estate in Mayfair and Belgravia by collaborating on a long-term project called Prime Fibre.

The impact of unicorns – start-ups that grow to reach a valuation of £1 billion or more – on a country’s economy cannot be underestimated. As well as being instrumental to economic growth, having a healthy system that supports start and scale-ups can be linked to prosperous employment and progression.

It’s funny to think, but fifteen years ago, the only consideration towards fitting out a property for the internet was a single phone point, connected to one computer, in the corner of one room. Fast forward, and in 2020, the world is changing at a dazzling rate.

We applaud this initiative by the Digital Secretary, Oliver Dowden, for all new-build homes to come with gigabit-speed broadband. It’s been a long time coming, and still has some way to go, but it’s certainly a step in the right direction.

Mikael Sandberg, Chairman, VX Fiber, discusses how collaboration, public/private investment and an Open Access model are the key ingredients to getting Europe connected. In late April, the FTTH (Fibre to the Home) Council Europe published its 2020 Market Panorama detailing the status of full-fibre connectivity (homes and business) in Europe. According to the report, as of September 2019, there were almost 172 million FTTH/FTTB homes passed in the EU39 countries – up from 160 million from the previous year.