London Telecoms Showcase: Connecting an inclusive and innovative capital city

10am – 3pm 7 February 2024 techUK, 10 St Bride Street, London, EC4A 4AD

techUK is delighted to be partnering with the Greater London Authority (GLA) on this brand new telecoms summit.

techUK champions the tech sector throughout the UK. We work with local authorities, devolved government, and local and national policy makers to advocate for the tech sector in strengthening economic growth and resilience.

As the UK’s capital and most populated city, London is often seen as a key driver of our economic power and growth – but does its connectivity match up? Do we risk ignoring some of London’s more unique challenges when it comes to rolling out fibre and 5G?

techUK and the Greater London Authority (GLA) will convene some of the capital’s key connectivity players from across industry, public stakeholders and policymakers, and the businesses and service providers seeking to maximise the benefits advanced connectivity will bring to London.

We will not be afraid to ask the difficult questions about the inclusive path London’s connectivity and coverage is following, and how digital exclusion persists for many of the capital’s inhabitants.

What barriers does London face in meeting the growing demand for fast and reliable connectivity across the city?
How can we ensure the rollout of fibre and 5G is inclusive and accessible for all Londoners?
What unique characteristics do London present as a global city that other areas of the UK do not?
What about connectivity across our transport networks?
Can we better coordinate industry and local authorities? What role can the Mayor of London and GLA play?

Please note, the event will end at 13:30 for non-Borough attendees. The Borough session hosted by the GLA will take place from 13:30 onwards.

Agenda:

10:00 - 10:30 Event Opening

Attendees to arrive and network in techUK membership area.

10:30 - 10:45 Keynote Speech

Theo Blackwell MBE, Chief Digital Officer for London will give the opening keynote speech.

As Chief Digital Officer for London, Theo’s approach builds strategic capability through better digital connectivity, collaboration and joined-up city data to address the challenges faced by the city, such as achieving Net Zero, as well as prepare for advances in AI and other emerging technologies.

10:45 – 11:20 Panel 1 - London's competitiveness and global hub for business through the rollout of fibre and 5G

This panel will focus on the potential of London’s competitiveness and global hub for business through the rollout of fibre and 5G.

London represents the UK’s most global financial centre – with unmatched human, market and digital connections. London’s growth as a global business hub and how we can make the city better for everyone fundamentally depends on the delivery of world-class infrastructure, including digital infrastructure. Building world-class infrastructure systems will support the connectivity London needs to bolster the economy and improve quality of life for everyone. Indeed, local authorities, Londoners, business, and operators share the ambition to deliver world-class digital infrastructure.

In 2022, a study by Ookla, who run the Speedtest.net service benchmarking global internet connection performance, found that internet performance in London lagged behind the likes of Oslo, Lisbon and Helsinki despite London's compeitiveness and global for business.

Industry experts will include:

James Fredrickson, Chief Corporate Affairs, Vorboss
John Kavanagh, Director of Infrastructure, BusinessLdn
Andrew Conway, Director of Solutions, Innovation and Technology, Boldyn Networks
Sara Kelly, Digital Connectivity Lead, GLA

11:20 – 11:55 Panel 2 - Digital inclusion: ensuring the rollout of fibre and 5G is inclusive and accessible for all Londoners

This panel will focus on the digital inclusion of fibre and 5G, ensuring that it is inclusive and accessible for all Londoners. Connectivity is a key driver of digital inclusion, and the deployment of communications infrastructure can fuel the development of a digital society and be a main driver of economic progress. But areas of the capital remain poorly served, suffering from 'not-spots', and 'digital deserts'.

In many council areas within London, a fundamental obstacle to maximising digital is connectivity and access to the internet - including fast wired broadband or to mobile broadband. Of further note, in 2022, a study by Ookla, who run the Speedtest.net service benchmarking global internet connection performance, found that internet performance in London lagged behind the likes of Oslo, Lisbon and Helsinki despite London's competitiveness and global for business. Enhancing digital inclusion remains a priority for both industry, the GLA and UK Government.

Topics explored within this panel will include looking at the main digital inclusion strategies to support Londoners with digital connectivity, assessing the main challenges to inclusive digital connectivity across London and what more the National Government and Local Government can do to support the digital inclusion of all Londoners.

Industry experts include the following: