BDUK maps

Our Ref: 198765

 

Dear Mr Grant,

 

Thank you for your request of 9 February asking for the following:

 

“What sources does BDUK use for its maps on broadband availability?

How closely do they mirror the Ofcom map?

How often is the data refreshed?

Do BDUK maps include wireless coverage?

Who apart from BDUK uses these maps?

How are they used?

If, in preparing their broadband procurements, local authorities use other
sources for information about existing broadband availability, what
sources would be acceptable to BDUK when it judges their applications for
funding?”

 

 

I have dealt with your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

 

I am able to release the information you requested.

 

1. What sources does BDUK use for its maps on broadband availability?

 

BDUK uses a number of sources including: Ordnance Survey geographic
information such as Code Point; published BT FTTx exchange upgrade
announcements; commercially confidential information from BT Openreach
such as postcodes served by different cabinets; similar information from
KCOM in and near Hull; and information from Virgin Media on cable coverage
by postcode.

 

2. How closely do they mirror the Ofcom map?

 

The two exercises have not been co-ordinated but when they draw from
similar sources they have similarities.  There is a significant difference
in timing: the BDUK analysis is designed to look ahead while the Ofcom
analysis looks at the current position.  As an example, in Northern
Ireland the superfast availability results were similar, but in Cornwall
they were very different because at the time of the Ofcom map BT had
announced major upgrades for Cornwall but had not carried them out.   On
current broadband speeds, the BDUK map seeks to model speeds capable of
being received in an area while the Ofcom map uses average actual speeds;
the latter will be lower for a number of reasons including customers
choosing lower speeds than the maximum available.

 

3. How often is the data refreshed?

 

The data is refreshed when there is significant new information and when
BDUK has the resources to carry this out.   Recently the data was
refreshed following the BT FTTx announcement in September and again
following the BT FTTx announcement in December, incorporating other data
which became available during those periods.

 

4. Who else uses these maps?

 

Extracts from these maps have been provided to local broadband
partnerships and projects, and to the Scottish Government.  Extracts were
also provided to local authorities  bidding to participate in the
super-connected cities programme.

 

5. How are they used?

 

BDUK would expect local partnerships to use these as a source of
information to help inform their planning and procurement, and as a
baseline for consultation in determining the eligible project intervention
areas in accordance with the EU State Aid approval process.

 

6. If in preparing their broadband procurements local authorities use
other sources for information about existing broadband availability, what
sources would be acceptable to BDUK?

 

BDUK would expect local authorities to use other sources of local
information both to validate and improve the accuracy of the data supplied
by BDUK, and to supplement it, for example if they become aware of other
local broadband suppliers’ footprints and future plans, when formally
consulting on the intervention area in accordance with the EU State Aid
approval process.  BDUK has not restricted the sources local authorities
might use, but expects them to assess the quality of different sources
before using them or providing data to bidders during procurement. 

 

 

 

If you require any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact
me.

 

Kind regards,

 

Freedom of Information Team

Ministerial Support Team

Tel: 0207 211 2308

 

 

 

 

 

 

Complaints and comments

 

As is customary in our replies, I would like to explain that if you are
dissatisfied with any aspect of our response to your request for
information and/or wish to appeal against information being withheld from
you please send full details within two calendar months of the date of
this email to:  [1][email address]

           

 

You have the right to ask the Information Commissioner (ICO) to
investigate any aspect of your complaint. Please note that the ICO is
likely to expect internal complaints procedures to have been exhausted
before beginning his investigation.

show quoted sections

Our Ref: 201547

 

Dear Mr Grant,

 

With regard to your request of 7 March asking for the following:

 

“Do BDUK maps include wireless coverage?

    

 If they do not, why do they not include such coverage?”

 

 

I have dealt with your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

 

I am able to release the information you requested. 

 

BDUK does not hold postcode level data on local fixed wireless broadband. 
The GIS files provided to local authorities have an empty column which
they can use for their own purposes to indicate areas where there is
wireless availability from other providers.  Completing this depends on
local knowledge.

 

 

If you require any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact
me.

 

Kind regards,

 

 

Freedom of Information Team

Ministerial Support Team

 

 

 

 

 

 

Complaints and comments

 

As is customary in our replies, I would like to explain that if you are
dissatisfied with any aspect of our response to your request for
information and/or wish to appeal against information being withheld from
you please send full details within two calendar months of the date of
this email to:  [1][email address]

           

 

You have the right to ask the Information Commissioner (ICO) to
investigate any aspect of your complaint. Please note that the ICO is
likely to expect internal complaints procedures to have been exhausted
before beginning his investigation.

show quoted sections