Issue - meetings

Report HPR2021/065

The Digital Infrastructure Work Plan had been adopted by the Council in February 2021. It was intended that quarterly updates on the Work Plan would be provided to this Committee – this was the first of these updates.

The report provided an update on the provision of full-fibre broadband in the borough. According to ThinkBroadband information, in May 2020 less than 1% of premises in Bromley had full fibre broadband coverage. This had increased to 24.7% in December 2021, largely through the Memorandum of Understanding with Openreach to improve connectivity across the borough. Openreach were hoping to connect 85% of Bromley premises by 2023.

There was also significant progress on 4G/5G mobile coverage, but planning approvals for new masts were proving difficult to obtain in Bromley. The Council was working with providers, especially Three UK, to identify new sites and improve siting and impact of individual masts. The Council was also working with Network Rail on their proposals to improve connectivity on the London to Brighton line through Penge and Anerley.    

In response to questions, officers confirmed that full-fibre provision for Bromley town centre had not yet been announced, but the programme was continually reviewed. The Chairman suggested that officers should be talking to Virgin Media as well as to Open Reach, and that officers should establish why full-fibre roll-out was so much further ahead in Bexley and Croydon.

Planning policies on mobile phone masts would need to be updated when the Local Plan was reviewed. A Member suggested encouraging providers to locate their masts in more remote locations, shielded by trees.    

The Chairman encouraged officers to keep the pressure on to speed up the rollout of full-fibre, and to find ways to do this without upsetting residents or damaging the environment.

RESOLVED that the contents of the report detailing progress with the delivery of the Digital Infrastructure Work Plan be noted.