The BSG’s 'Pipe Dreams?' report recommended that further work should be undertaken to identify models for efficient public sector interventions to support the deployment of next generation broadband networks in areas where persistent market failure is most likely to occur. BSG undertook this study in early 2008. The work built on the Ofcom/DTI Best Practice Guide on Public Broadband Schemes, published in 2007.

The report set out to answer the following questions:

• Why might some form of public sector intervention be necessary in some areas?
• Where are such interventions likely to be required?
• What form of interventions might be most appropriate?
• How should such interventions be structured and funded?
• What should be the criteria for deciding whether public sector intervention should be considered in a particular area?

In February 2008 the BSG appointed Analysys Mason to undertake the work. They were supported by a steering group and the BSG Executive (view the membership of the steering group), as well as undertaking interviews with various stakeholders in the UK.

The report was launched at the BSG Conference 'Beyond Pipe Dreams: Prospects for Next Generation Broadband in the UK'. The recommendations from the report informed the Caio Review, and the BSG is working with stakeholders to enact the relevant recommendations of this report, following the government's response to the review in the Digital Britain Interim Report.

As a part of the follow-up to this study, BSG is now undertaking the COTS Project, an industry-led project to examine what needs to be done in order to ensure consumers have access to a full range of service providers, regardless of the underlying network ownership or technology.  

Download the full report: 'Models for efficient and effective public sector interventions in next generation broadband access networks 

View the report press release

As part of the research into this project the BSG visited the OnsNet project in Nuenen, the Netherlands. In this town outside of Eindhoven, a local cooperative have built a fibre to the home (FTTH) network, connecting the vast majority of residents. For more information please see the report from the Nuenen trip.

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