The west of England is stepping up its digital game with a new initiative that hopes to help unlock a £1.3 billion annual boost to the region’s economy powered by private investment in better broadband and mobile connectivity – a boost that will benefit the 16,000 local residents still not connected to superfast broadband.
Launched recently, the West of England Digital Office is set to change access to connectivity.
The digital office will be a dedicated one-stop shop for the telecom industry. It will simplify and standardise processes across council boundaries, cut red tape, speed up infrastructure improvements, and provide specialist advice. This could lead to more efficient projects and quicker rollouts.
Described as “one of the very first of its kind in the country”, the initiative will be developed alongside a regional ‘Dig Once’ policy to minimise short-term disruption.
It will help ensure real benefits for residents and provide an important service for the telecom industry.
The economic boost of £1.3 billion could lead to increased consumer spending, benefiting local businesses, alongside better connectivity giving more opportunities for remote work. This could attract more businesses to the region, further stimulating the economy.
The streamlined processes could also make the west of England a more attractive location for telecom providers and investors.
Freyja Lockwood, Digital Innovation & Transformation Programme Manager at the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, said: “The new Digital Office will accelerate the deployment of critical infrastructure in the West of England. By addressing common challenges, we can continue to drive innovation and create optimal conditions for broadband projects to be delivered more quickly.”
