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Local authority partnerships encourage small cells delivery

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Local authority partnerships encourage small cells delivery

Posted | Updated by Insights team:

Publication | Update:

Mar 2024
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Abstract connected dots and lines. Concept of AI technology, Motion of digital data flow.
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Ali Akhtar, Head of Acquisitions, at BT Wholesale, explains how strong local authority partnerships are central to unlocking small cell connectivity

In today’s technological age, connectivity has become indispensable. Whether individuals use mobile phones to connect to an app, talk to friends and family, or governmental bodies monitor environmental metrics such as air quality, the demand for technology and connectivity has never been greater.

Local authorities are central to this evolving landscape that provides the vital link between the telecoms industry, the communities they serve, and the infrastructure critical for facilitating connectivity – such as street furniture and buildings. In essence, they assist in paving the way towards new technological advancements that meet local needs (e.g. using 5G to improve the way services are delivered) – and a simple and effective way to achieve this is through small cell technology.

Coverage, capacity, communities

Small cells are low-powered mobile radio access nodes that help to provide greater network performance in densely populated areas with increased data traffic. They are deployed to support larger (macro) mobile masts or where an ‘offloading’ capability is required. BT Wholesale is the largest provider of this technology in the UK and, with its partners, has been at the forefront of developing better deployment procedures to ensure UK Public Limited Companies’ (PLC) aspirations around 5G are realised.

And there are numerous examples of councils already benefiting from this technology. For example, BT Wholesale has partnered with Leeds City Council and the London Boroughs of Croydon and Southwark, who are all early adopters of ‘non-exclusive’ small cell licence agreements that have enabled BT Wholesale (and industry in general) to roll out small cells at scale. In turn, these partnerships have elevated connectivity to become a key driver for economic development, while supporting changes in behaviours, such as hybrid working.

The Government are on board with making this digital vision a reality too, with the Digital Connectivity Infrastructure Accelerator (DCIA) and the more recent 5G Innovation Regions. This provides councils and technology providers with access to over £40 million of funding to develop tomorrow’s wireless communication networks, with a specific focus on exploring how public assets (publicly owned buildings and street furniture) can be used to support the development and deployment of mobile communications and small cells.

This should be celebrated, as small cells drive development across regions. By boosting connectivity, they foster inward investment by attracting new businesses to an area, increasing employment opportunities for residents, and encouraging the retention of business rates for local authorities.

Moreover, small cells facilitate new and adaptable service models that promote efficiencies and better outcomes, such as supporting lone workers and vulnerable (sometimes hard-to-reach) residents in staying connected and safe. This universal access fosters a greener, more inclusive, and productive environment, empowering individuals to connect from any location. Ultimately, small cells offer a unique way to elevate local communities, driving them towards enhanced connectivity and prosperity.

Threading the legal needle

While the benefits of adopting this technology are clear, the process of quick and cost-effective deployment can often resemble threading a needle for both local authorities and operators. Mass deployment has previously been impeded by the intricate nature of regulatory processes, bureaucratic hurdles, expensive concession models, and inconsistent practices.

However, it’s now much easier for councils, operators, and infrastructure providers to agree on delivery protocols and terms, and stitch together a successful approach. For example, the updated Electronic Communications Code (2017) curtailed councils’ reliance on concession contracts as a way to enable small cell deployments in a local area. Instead, establishing non-exclusive Open Access agreements now offers industry and local authorities a simpler way of working.

Councils such as Manchester, Liverpool, and Glasgow have already adopted this approach. It means that assets are not overvalued, and the community can benefit regardless of what network they are on, improving digital inclusion and economic growth.

BT Wholesale has been at the forefront of driving the development of small cell technology and delivery across the UK. We have bilateral agreements and strong relationships with local authorities. We work closely with council services, such as street lighting engineers, to ensure knowledge around our deployment protocols is understood and approved.

Recognising that councils face resource constraints and securing initial agreement is complex, we are committed to simplifying deployment, ensuring it’s seamless, straightforward, and economical for all stakeholders.

Sowing the seeds for a connected future

Although the process may be tricky to navigate, local authorities increasingly embrace small cells. However, to truly connect for good, key stakeholders need to communicate more about their needs and realistic next steps. For instance, as we transition towards 5G ‘standalone’, which holds the potential to unlock new Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities and services for local authorities, businesses, and households, there’s a need for deeper understanding and cooperation.

The 2017 ‘code’ does not provide a one-size-fits-all solution for the industry either – which may mean we need to look at legislation again. For example, agreeing on processes and timeframes pertinent to small cell deployments that work for both the industry and the asset owner and guiding Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contracts.

The industry is going in the right direction but needs to accelerate efforts to swiftly unlock the full benefits of 5G and establish a comprehensive framework around small cells.
BT Wholesale plays a vital role in this; think of us as gardeners bringing the right elements together for growth and sowing the seeds for a brighter and connected future.

Please Note: This is a Commercial Profile

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Head of Acquisitions
BT Wholesale
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Forecast methodology

The future outlook “forecast” is based on a set of statistical methods such as regression analysis, industry specific drivers as well as analyst evaluations, as well as analysis of the trends that influence economic outcomes and business decision making.
The Global Economic Model is covering the political environment, the macroeconomic environment, market opportunities, policy towards free enterprise and competition, policy towards foreign investment, foreign trade and exchange controls, taxes, financing, the labour market and infrastructure. We aim update our market forecast to include the latest market developments and trends.

Forecasts, Data modelling and indicator normalisation

Review of independent forecasts for the main macroeconomic variables by the following organizations provide a holistic overview of the range of alternative opinions:

  • Cambridge Econometrics (CE)

  • The Centre for Economic and Business Research (CEBR)

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As a result, the reported forecasts derive from different forecasters and may not represent the view of any one forecaster over the whole of the forecast period. These projections provide an indication of what is, in our view most likely to happen, not what it will definitely happen.

Short- and medium-term forecasts are based on a “demand-side” forecasting framework, under the assumption that supply adjusts to meet demand either directly through changes in output or through the depletion of inventories.
Long-term projections rely on a supply-side framework, in which output is determined by the availability of labour and capital equipment and the growth in productivity.
Long-term growth prospects, are impacted by factors including the workforce capabilities, the openness of the economy to trade, the legal framework, fiscal policy, the degree of government regulation.

Direct contribution to GDP
The method for calculating the direct contribution of an industry to GDP, is to measure its ‘gross value added’ (GVA); that is, to calculate the difference between the industry’s total pre­tax revenue and its total bought­in costs (costs excluding wages and salaries).

Forecasts of GDP growth: GDP = CN+IN+GS+NEX

GDP growth estimates take into account:

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  • Investment as a function of the return on capital and changes in capacity utilization; Government spending as a function of intervention initiatives and state of the economy;

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All relevant markets are quantified utilizing revenue figures for the forecast period. The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) within each segment is used to measure growth and to extrapolate data when figures are not publicly available.

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Industry Life Cycle Market Phase

Market phase is determined using factors in the Industry Life Cycle model. The adapted market phase definitions are as follows:

  • Nascent: New market need not yet determined; growth begins increasing toward end of cycle

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The Global Economic Model
The Global Economic Model brings together macroeconomic and sectoral forecasts for quantifying the key relationships.

The model is a hybrid statistical model that uses macroeconomic variables and inter-industry linkages to forecast sectoral output. The model is used to forecast not just output, but prices, wages, employment and investment. The principal variables driving the industry model are the components of final demand, which directly or indirectly determine the demand facing each industry. However, other macroeconomic assumptions — in particular exchange rates, as well as world commodity prices — also enter into the equation, as well as other industry specific factors that have been or are expected to impact.

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The principal explanatory variable in each industry’s output equation is the Total Demand variable, encompassing exogenous macroeconomic assumptions, consumer spending and investment, and intermediate demand for goods and services by sectors of the economy for use as inputs in the production of their own goods and services.

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The degree of necessity. Luxury products and habit forming ones, typically have a higher elasticity.
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