Event round up - Digital Infrastructure Leaders Series: Northern Ireland
techUK hosted a webinar exploring Northern Ireland's journey to 94.2% gigabit-capable broadband coverage with industry leaders from Openreach, Fibrus, VMO2. Along with insight from Building Digital UK on Project Stratum/the Shared Rural Network and techUK's most recent Local Digital Index.
Following the launch of techUK’s Digital Local Index 2023, Northern Ireland showcased a rapid increase in gigabit broadband availability and is leading the way as 86% of premises have access. Ofcom’s Connected Nations 2023 revealed that more than nine in 10 Northern Ireland homes can access full fibre broadband, over 51,000 more than last year. And that 5G availability is gathering pace. Nearly three quarters of a million Northern Ireland homes have access to full-fibre broadband – higher than all other UK nations.
This webinar heard from industry leaders on how this was achieved, what more can be done to reach the full rollout of gigabit-capable broadband, and what more can be done to improve access to 5G.
Our stellar lineup of presenters included:
- Garret Kavanagh, Director - Northern Ireland, Openreach
- Shane Haslem, Chief Operating Officer, Fibrus
- Paul Mullan, Public Affairs Manager, VMO2
- Ileana Lupsa, Programme Manager - Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, techUK
- Jim Hill, Local Delivery Lead, Building Digital UK
You can watch the full webinar recording here:
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Contact the team
Jaynesh Patel
Jaynesh Patel
Jaynesh Patel is Head of Telecoms and Spectrum Policy, leading the Communications Infrastructure and Services Programme at techUK and overseeing the UK Spectrum Policy Forum.
Jaynesh has extensive experience in the sector, having worked for CityFibre (a full fibre broadband company) and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) on digital infrastructure policy. Most recently Jaynesh led on policy and public affairs in the UK and Ireland for ChargePoint (an EV charging network).
Prior to this Jaynesh worked in the Cabinet Office for more than five years, including over two years at the Government Digital Service (GDS) supporting the digital transformation of UK Government.
Jaynesh has a BSc (Hons) in Economics from the London School of Economics (LSE).
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayneshpatel/
Josh Turpin
Josh Turpin
Josh joined techUK as a Programme Manager for Telecoms and Net Zero in August 2024.
In this role, working jointly across the techUK Telecoms and Climate Programmes, Josh is responsible for leading on telecoms infrastructure deployment and uptake and supporting innovation opportunities, as well as looking at how the tech sector can be further utilised in the UK’s decarbonisation efforts.
Prior to joining techUK, Josh’s background was in public affairs and communications, working for organisations across a diverse portfolio of sectors including defence, telecoms and infrastructure; aiding clients through stakeholder engagement, crisis communications, media outreach as well as secretariat duties.
Outside of work, Josh has a keen interest in music, painting and sailing.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2038
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-turpin/
Matthew Wild
Matthew Wild
Matthew joined techUK in August 2023 as a Programme Assistant.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2000
Tales Gaspar
Tales Gaspar
Tales has a background in law and economics, with previous experience in the regulation of new technologies and infrastructure.
In the UK and Europe, he offered consultancy on intellectual property rights of cellular and IoT technologies and on the regulatory procedures at the ITU as a Global Fellow at the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI).
Tales has an LL.M in Law and Business by the Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV) and an MSc in Regulation at the London School of Economics, with a specialization in Government and Law.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- +44 (0) 0207 331 2000
- Website:
- www.techUK.org
- LinkedIn:
- www.linkedin.com/in/talesngaspar
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