NextGen Scotland 2012
7 June 2012
Tag Archives: economy
NextGen Roadshow Milton Keynes
NextGen Milton Keynes
Transformational Infrastructure. A liveblog – with text from David Brunnen and Brian Condon together with conversations and comments from the #nextgen12 Twitter hashtag.
Storified by Brian_Condon · Wed, Jun 06 2012 10:39:37
Participants gather for NextGen Roadshow Milton Keynes to discuss superfast broadband #nextgen12 #digitalbritain twitpic.com/9qvkttBrian_Condon
At MKStadium for #nextgen12 seeing lots of old friends #digitalbritain
Councillor David Hopkins talks about the strategic location of Milton Keynes and the importance of getting very high speed broadband.
Cllr Hopkins #NextGen12 – Milton Keynes is the fastest growing location in the country
David Hopkins talks about the importance of the Internet of Things to the future of Milton Keynes’ economy #nextgen12 twitpic.com/9qvoujBrian_Condon
David Hopkins is giving an overview of how important digital networks are to the businesses of the region – citing great examples like the Red Bull F1 racing team and the nearby Silverstone race track.
He is quoting Cisco research on the expected growth of broadband demand and the need for high capacity links.
He says that in spite of national doom and gloom on the economic front he says that in Milton Keynes they are experiencing rapid growth and much of that is critically based on the digital infrastructure.
The 2020 vision for Milton Keynes is a fundamental part of their thinking.
David Hopkins highlights 20 key trends that MK is very focused on. #nextgen12 twitpic.com/9qvqivBrian_Condon
The Benefits of Fit-For-Purpose Broadband
Crister Mattsson from Sweden is on stage and giving results from his latest research. His analysis shows how growth of GDP is intrinsically linked to high quality broadband infrastructure. The Swedish government’s plan – an information society for all – was based around principles that can easily be translated to the UK environment.
Christer Mattsson uses developments in Sweden to highlight the issues facing all of us in Europe. He particularly focuses on the need to encourage incumbents to invest. There are 100 new service providers in Sweden.
In Sweden 200 municipalities are building their own networks 87% public ownership #nextgen12 twitpic.com/9qvsz9Brian_Condon
Christer says that these new networks enable new services that have an effect on society.
87% of Swedish networks are owned by the public sector – Mattson #NextGen12
With FTTH 20% work from home; with copper it’s only 5% says Christer Mattsson at #nextgen12 #digitalbritain
But the benefits are not just economic – his studies for the Swedish government have also shown the positive impacts on society at larges and the efficiency of public sector services. Open Access – the view from Sweden is that unbundling is not enough – all levels of provision need to be separated with utility network access being considered and regulated in different ways to competitive services.
Crister highlights a distinction between the former incumber telco’s and new communications providers – the latter often locally based. 200 out of 297 municipalities are building their own networks and majority owned by the public sector – and making money – a process which keeps local taxes down! He also cites the plentiful availability of dark fibre – enabling businesses to create their own private networks. He has just commented on the ‘uncultured values’ that justify the investment and help develop new models for investment for high-speed access. The new services that did not exist before are an indication of the boost to innovation and inward investment to rural and less-favoured areas. He describes a virtuous circle of investment engendering new growth and improvements in the quality of life. he cites savings made by city of Stockholm – savings that have lowered taxes and, at the same time, improved the quality of life and public services delivery.
Crister Mattson #NextGen12 explaining the Swedish Market Landscape for Next Generation build
Fibre users are happier than copper users – it’s true! – Mattson #NextGen12
#nextgen12 Crister Mattsson: "take the initiative with infrastructure" certainly will! #digitalbritain
Delivering Next Generation Broadband to Accelerate Growth
Dr Ann Limb OBE DL now speaking – from Sweden to SEMLEP #NextGen12
She confesses to being technologically inexpert but has a very clear view of the outcomes and benefits of better broadband. Ann has in fact a great track record in previous government initiatives over the past decade – LearnDirect and YouGov.
The failure, she says, was that we neglected investment in the infrastructure and we now need to play ‘catch-up’ to accelerate growth.
. @AnnLimb agrees with Christer Mattsson that the UK isPlaying Catch Up in digital infrastructure #nextgen12 twitpic.com/9qvxnjBrian_Condon
The role of the digital natives and the importance to the education of our children is at the heart of the future Internet says Dr Ann Limb – she agrees with Christer Mattsson that more pressure should have been put on incumbents to invest in infrastructure.
Superfast broadband – everyone wants it – Ann Limb #NextGen12
The region has particularly strong digital needs with a diversity of environments of city and rural areas. Key objective is accelerating growth through digital investment and the SEMLEP has a champion appointed to make sure that faster and higher quality infrastructure will be increased – with a focus on businesses, rural areas and disadvantaged/excluded groups within society.
#NextGen12 RT @NeelieKroesEU: RT @kilfrew: RT @twECTA: "investing in telecoms is not too risky, it has to be done" #ftth #broadband
#NextGen12 Ann Limb speaking about her role for UKonline and Directgov
Debates began to break out on Twitter – both about Christer’s presentation and Ann’s remarks
@EventsNextGen #NextGen12 surely its the package, price and service experience that decides?
@Watchingtheflow currently its cheap packages and rubbish service for many. We need fibre. moral and optic. #NextGen12
@Watchingtheflow @brian_condon It was a comparison, not a trend he was referring to. #nextgen12 #digitalbritain
@cotswoldsbb @brian_condon #nextgen12 #digitalbritain and it s just not believable,
@Watchingtheflow haven’t seen any plans for that. Only cabinets. that isn’t real fibre broadband, comes through an old phone line #NextGen12
Ann Limb doesn’t understand why superfast broadband isn’t offered as a utility in new build particularly social housing #NextGen12 @AnnLimb
@EventsNextGen @AnnLimb Fibre ducting should be compulsary on any new builds at the very least. Even if not a fibre area yet. #NextGen12
@Yorkie71 @watchingtheflow @eventsnextgen Very good presentation by @annlimb at #NextGen12
Fibre To The Home from Start to Finish
Adam Ashenden of Prysmian
Very few delegates acknowledged any awareness of Prysmian – so Adam began his presentation by explaining that with the merger of Draka and Prysmian they are well established as a cable manufacturer in the Uk and have vast experience across continental Europe in Fibre-to-the home networks.
Adam Ashenden of Prysmian uses a real project #nextgen12 to highlight the issues in delivering #ftth twitpic.com/9qw0zjBrian_Condon
Adam’s first case study looked at a major project in Edinburgh – a complex project covering three areas and a potential extension to Edinburgh airport. Part of the solution involved pre-configutred Point of Presence – ready made units that could be used to deliver the hubs for the networks without extensive modifications of unsuitable buildings.
Adam then focused on the cables and ducts and the civil engineering challenges. In some areas duct networks existed and could be re-used but in other areas they worked with other utilities – including the sewer networks.
The city fibre ring needed to allow for extension to the airport but it also needed to link the three distinct areas. Part of the Prysmian solution benefited from their experience in Paris where they developed smaller cables with great capacity. They also developed a micro-ducting system to allow rapid deployment with air-blown systems – blown fibres are likely to last at least 25 years – vastly better than cables that are strained by pulling them in.
It is the experience and development capability of Prysmian and their ability to work with other agencies that contributes to these successful FTTH deployments.
His final point was that customer engagement was massively beneficial – many customers are happy to assist with the cable dig for the last few metres – reducing cost and gaining customer commitment.
Adam argues that it’s important for those involved in local broadband plans; whether from local authorities or parish councils to have a good understanding of the technical issues in helping to decide the various routes and technologies needed to deliver these projects. Different local situations will demand different solutions.
Adam says that it’s very important to make sure that you spend time working together to understand the needs of the area and customer groups – you can’t separate an understanding of locality and the infrastructure issues.
Further, faster & affordable – the latest from BT
Brendan Dick Managing Director BT Scotland & Managing Director BT Regions
Brendan Dick of BT says that in FTTC enabled areas, you’ll be able to order FTTP – no date mentioned #nextgen12 twitpic.com/9qw8vpBrian_Condon
Brendan starts with mentioning Rio+20(the forthcoming UN Summit) and the need to see ICT investment as a major contribution to sustainability (NextGen’s Marit Hendriks will be attending Rio+20 and expects to interview some of the UN Broadband Commission leaders)
Brendan first point – ‘Faster’ – was that from next year that businesses will be able to order fibre connectivity on demand. He also mentioned to predominance of businesses operated from home.
This would, he said, transform the way we live and work and will be a fundamentally key component of economic growth.
#NextGen12 Brendan Dick, BT: broadband is an enabler for how we live, how we work & how we make our economy thrive. <– Nicely put!
RT @paulinerigby: #NextGen12 not naming names, but the word "solutions" should be banished forever unless you really do mean dissolved in liquid
Brendan mentions that soon, businesses and others in areas that have FTTC will be able to order Fibre to the Premises as a sort of ‘on demand’ service.
His second point – Affordability – is not an issue – largely on account of the service providers that work with BT.
For Milton Keynes Brendan highlighted some local initiatives – ‘75% (more than 85,000 premises) have access to super fast broadband’. This is primarily ‘fibre to the cabinet’.
BT has apparently been surprised that take-up has been higher than the 35% they expected.
BT’s plans for #mk at #nextgen12 in Milton Keynes twitpic.com/9qwa2mBrian_Condon
Brendan highlighted the benefits to the UK economy – 0.3 to 0.5% contribution to GDP growth.
Brendan says that BT is engaged in future-proofing the UK’s telecoms network. They are now trialling faster speeds over combined fibre/copper networks. BY may believe in the utopia (of FTTH) but are rooted in the practical challenges of today – using mixes of technology to deliver basic broadband to 100% of the country.
RT @johnpopham: MT @brian_condon: BT say they are trialling, in the lab, 1 Gbps over Cu. #NextGen12 << It would be nice if we all lived in labs wouldn’t it?Edgar Aker
"Future Proofing" issues for #digitalbritain according to BT #nextgen12 twitpic.com/9qwbf3Brian_Condon
If the exchange is upgraded, the ducting in place and 1500 homeowners want it, why do BT not upgrade??? #nextgen12
@paulinerigby Brendan said he couldn’t help our area. ‘BT is not a charity’ http://t.co/m78xpTaK #NextGen12
Brendan Dick uses fibre example of the Well at Willen #NextGen12 from 2mbps to 40mbps – great improvement, businesses grow and thrive
75% of premises in Milton Keynes have access to fibre broadband thanks to BT’s investment – Brendan Dick #NextGen12
Lancashire, Rutland, Cornwall, Isles of Scilly, Northern Ireland all have significant fibre roll out – Brendan Dick #NextGen12
QUESTIONS FROM FLOOR
BT seems not to be providing FTTC to Milton Keynes to business parks – does this mean that BT expects businesses to buy more-expensive provisions.
Brendan responded by highlighting the priorities (from the BDUK programme) to fill the most needy gaps.
A question about rural areas produced response that it was a matter of market priorities – looking for the most likely take-up areas first – but all of this must fit with the BDUK programme.
BT. We need to stimulate market and digital inclusion important but also sustainability – leave a positive lasting impact #NextGen12
RT @RobDChambers: Feisty lot at #nextgen12 – laying into BT <- we think BT is v important but not the whole answer 🙂
The role of Broadband Delivery UK (“BDUK”)
Robert Ling
Now #NextGen12 @ling_robert BDUK – we are committed to delivering the best superfast broadband network in Europe by 2015
Robert Lin of #BDUK introducing BDUK and its goals #NextGen12 twitpic.com/9qwodmBrian_Condon
@ling_robert Ling picture http://t.co/0jZswzU1 now speaking #NextGen12 Milton Keynes
Robert’s on the government’s objectives and BDUK processes.
He expressed some satisfaction that their process was on schedule and the responses from Local Authorities had been very encouraging. The process had been greatly benefited from clarification of the State Aid issues and an umbrella agreement agreed with the European Commission.
The 2nd round for bids opened on the 10th May and will close on 6th July. The first round (January) resulted in 16 applications out of 39 being approved.
BDUK pot: £530M on superfast broadband, £150 for superconnected cities & £150M to improve mobile infrastructure, says Rob Ling #NextGen12
Cities have until 2 August to submit full bids at which point actual allocations will be made @ling_robert #NextGen12
The Super-Connected Cities initiated in the budget resulted in indicative funding allocations being made – and a meeting on 14th June with all applicant will clarify the next steps.
A further programme for Mobile investment – details on the DCMS website.
Major issue – Demand Stimulation – DCMS working with GO ON UK ( a ‘reincarnation of RACE Online 2012) – is a key part of the strategy. Robert is keen to see a strong business focus and a collaborative culture that brings together many organisations such as FSB.
Second wave of smaller superconnected cities is now on the way #bduk #nextgen12
Robert Ling says they got 39 responses to the Rural Broadband Fund which given timescales was "phenomenal" #NextGen12 twitpic.com/9qwp6fBrian_Condon
Rob Ling #NextGen12 Rural Community Broadband Fund (for areas not addressed by local authority schemes) round 2 opens 10 May, closes 6 July
@ling_robert speaking about @Go_ON_UK campaign who picked up baton from Race Online 12 to get final 8.12m online #NextGen12 in Milton Keynes
Fibre To The Home Council Europe
Nadia Babaali
Nadia starts by mentioning their partnership with NextGen and highlights the forthcoming NextGen 12 conference (Oct 8 & 9) in London.
FTTH Council was formalised in 2004 and is now a major industry organisation – with a vision for a sustainable future.
The FTTH Council Europe’s 10th anniversary conference (Feb 2013) will be held in London – the first time that it has been in England.
In line with the other FTTH Councils around the world the council’s league tables only count those homes and buildings that are actually connected by fibre.
Europe and CIS countries in total have more FTTH connections than the USA.
Take-up rates appear to be higher in CIS countries.
In the global rankings of countries with more than 200,000 households and more than 1% connected by FTTH. The Aisian countries (e.g. South Korea) are in the lead and Lithuania is the highest European entry.
In Europe there are 20 countries with more than 1% penetration and this table is lead by Nordic and Eastern European countries. Growth rates in Eastern Europe are now leading the market.
Babaali #NextGen12 Lithuania ranks NO1 with highest penetration of FTTH hear Lithuanian regulator at Scotland NG 7 June http://t.co/npMT6ZYw
Nadia Babaali of Fibre to the Home council points out worrying trends for EU in #ftth – other parts of world faster growing #nextgen12
France and Italy are on the table but Germany, Spain and UK have not yet achieved 1% penetration.
The Council have analysed projects by ‘type of player’ – Municipalities, Alternative Operators and European Incumbents. The first two categories have been important in driving Incumbents towards a more innovative approach.
In the ‘Race to Fibre Maturity’ (when 20% penetration is expected) the UK is not expected to achieve this until some time after 2022 – and long other most others. This prediction suggests that the UK may not achieve the EU’s broadband targets for 2020.
FTTH forecast Babaali #NextGen12 @FTTHCouncilEU. Europe will get there at 2020 UK will get there after 2022!
UK to not reach fibre to the home maturity (20% homes connected) until after 2022!! #NextGen12
#ftth "UK won’t reach fibre maturity until way past 2022" #nextgen12 #digitalbritain
Upload Speeds and Stability are key. Consumer demand is not an issue – but it takes a little time for consumers to learn how to exploit higher quality networks. It also takes time for operators to understand that it can be highly profitable.
There are continental case studies available on the FTT Council website. NextGen is assisting the Council in finding additional case studies from the UK.
Nadia Babaali charting Diffraction Analysis FTTH Service provider study @fiberguy #NextGen12 @FTTHCouncilEU
#nextgen12 If predictions by @ftthcouncileu come to pass then UK will miss Digital Agenda target of 100Mbps for 50% of homes by 2020
Local case studies
Fredi Nonyelu – MK Business Broadband Survey
Fred Nonyelu kicks off with a local broadband survey undertaken by the Biztech Forum
Objectives to understand the state of play in the Mk area and find recommendations for the city.
16% of businesses involved directly in ICT and the responses reflected a stronger response from this sector.
The results showed many areas are effectively rural with very low broadband speeds – but this was also apparent in the city centre.
32% rated reliability as poor. 86% had upload speeds of less than 2mbps.
Fredi Nonyelu presents results of a survey of business needs for high speed broadband #NextGen12 twitpic.com/9qx2vz twitpic.com/9qx2z4Brian_Condon
#nextgen12 Fredi Nonyelu: businesses surveyed in Milton Keynes want to pay less than £30 per month for broadband
Only 14% had upload speeds greater than 8mbps.
The slides are detailed and will be available on the NextGen site as soon as possible.
On affordability the willingness to pay seemed to be limited to less than £30 – regardless of performance.
Several examples from local enterprises were reviewed in detail.
In summary
BDUK has awarded only £140k -to Milton Keynes – but MK council has allocation £2.4M and this is expected to be match-funded by operators.
Competition is seen as key – and whilst they welcome the work with BY they see the need to have a local dimension and get away from a ‘1 size fits all’ approach.
Fredi then finished by reviewing the challenges and opportunities – and the need for the infrastructure to match the future vision for the city.
The Brooklands Development
Graeme Scott Technical Account Manager IFNL
A different approach to #ngn with INFL "treating it as a utility" #NextGen12 "get what you pay for" twitpic.com/9qx54uBrian_Condon
INFL is pre-providing each plot with a basic infrastructure that is open for use by any operator.
This means no street furniture – the entire infrastructure is underground.
#NextGen12 Graeme Scott claims that IFNL delivers fastest broadband in the UK – 200Mbps on Brooklands development in MK
"@brian_condon: A different approach to #ngn with INFL "treating it as a utility" #NextGen12 "get what you pay for". Excellent approach.
@GreySkyConsult @brian_condon "You get what you pay for" shouldn’t that be "pay for what you use" as in how utilities charge? #NextGen12
What households need – implies FTTC can’t cope – says Graeme Scott of IFNL #NextGen12 twitpic.com/9qx6ilBrian_Condon
Research shows more clearly that customers want fast upload and lower latency. They also want IPTV and the network is configured to deliver this (including Sky).
Telecoms is the same as any other utility.
TV requires 15Mbps per channel. Graeme highlights multiple concurrent applications.
Standard Service is 50Mbps down and 25Mbps upload speed. This is the fastest service in Milton Keynes.
This presentation highlights the value of a local operator – and further extensions from the scheme are being developed.
@Watchingtheflow IFNL offer choice of gas and electric suppliers on their other utility networks, aiming for the same with fibre #NextGen12danielheery
Milton Keynes Smart City
Prof Keith Straughan Interim Dean University College Milton Keynes
Smart Cities must be self aware and should be able to respond to external stimuli.
The evolution of city services – understanding the spiral of developments – requires a view of convergence of several human factors. Keith views that the technology focus of many models is mistaken – agriculture, education, water production – just three of the perspectives that are missing from government understanding.
Smart Cities demand increasing ‘knowledge sharing’. Keith cites Ofgem work on understand electricity demands.
Keith shows a new view of Smart Cities – but the hardest part is not technology but people factors – but it cannot move forward without an infrastructure that allows behaviours to change and evolve.
Time, Einstein and Everything Cool about NextGen Technology
Mark Kellett – CEO Magnet Networks
Trading and Gaming are drivers of #ngn says Mark Kellett of Magnet Networks. #NextGen12 http://twitpic.com/9qxdueBrian_Condon
For the last 2 years Magnet has been supplying services to new-build developments – not only in Ireland but in many parts of the UK – example Wembley and Greenwich.
Magnet provides an IPTV service and Sky services as well a open open access network.
They have developed special service for gamers – and much of the benefits are being felt in the Financial Services world of high-frequency trading.
Beware the JCB – Mark cites the customer who refused the offer of a back-up link – and lost 4 days work because of a digger!
Acceleration – more capacity is always taken up – so why do people still ask why they would need 100mbps? Once they have experienced it they will never let it go.
Latency is a vital quality issue for business users.
Aertv is live and social – 29% of viewers comment on social media – and 29% of TV viewers are viewing it in the bathroom!
You can find copies of the presentations on the NextGen Events website:
Mark Kellett – CEO Magnet Networksnextgenevents
NextGen Events :: Milton Keynes – 30 May :: PresentationsEvents Follow us on Twitter Follow us now " About us NG Events Ltd produces unique, high quality conferences, events and study tours incl…
Manchester, a Tech City?
To Sharp Campus and a decent verbal punch-up on Manchester’s future as a Tech City.
Manchester, a Tech City?
An event at Sharp Campus
Storified by Brian_Condon · Fri, May 18 2012 02:15:38
Event 004 Manchester, a Tech City?2012 sees Manchester ideally placed to be the national engine for digital growth. Investment and development in connectivity, including the Urban Broadband Fund, resources and education have created the opportunity for the city to compete at the forefront of the UK’s key emerging new sector. But
Pre #event004 drinks in The Campus – due to traffic we’re starting a little later pic.twitter.com/hRk4VPFnThe Sharp Project
At #event004 to hear about Manchester’s future as a city for startups.
Managed to make it to @sharpproject for #event004 & see @MartinSFP after slog from MCUK. Interested to see how relates to @BBC_Connected.
At @sharpcampus (swanky!) Download: 8.49 Mbps Upload: 7.28 Mbps wifi! For #event004Brian_Condon
Ian Aspin introduces Elizabeth Varley of TechHub and Martin Bryant of The Next Web. Elizabeth says that they focus of tech led product companies especially start-ups.
Full house for #event004 – just starting now, @IanAspin leading the panel pic.twitter.com/dUWSGMfKThe Sharp Project
Panel at #Event004 @sharpproject twitpic.com/9m3urcBrian_Condon
#event004 "You have to be slightly crazy to be an entrepreneur" @evarley
@MartinSFP I gave up job for life, great pension to pursue the dream but it isn’t for everyone and that ain’t a bad thing #event004
TEDxManchester – Martin Bryant – Where Are the Manchester Startups?
He says he did the “worst talk ever at TEDxManchester”. Ian says he feels people do want to do big ideas in Manchester but there doesn’t seem to be one location or ways for people to connect. Is it about isolated individuals?asks Ian
Drinking beer and sitting at the back at #event004. Should I heckle? Just for kicks.
@Simon_Swan Yes – heckling is good. 🙂 #event004Brian_Condon
#event004 started with some frustration at how to scale up tech start-ups, but not pinpointed the lack of critical mass
Time for anarchist entrepreneurs to get organised 😉 #event004
Simon Swan asks about the creative environment in Manchester – we have the music industry can we really upscale into serious business?Martin says we need an attitude that treats tech entrepreneurs as rock stars – why not. Talks about VCs wearing suits. Need a punk attitude. It’s about getting out there and doing it. Similar to the way a new band might go out.
Ian says isn’t the passion enough? Can we find people over social media? And then maybe meet them. But I feel connected. My community is in the phone and on Twitter. I can hang out with people.
@MartinSFP does it really matter what someone is fucking wearing? #event004
@MartinSFP but equally looking like a scruffy bugger can say you just aren’t serious about your business. #event004
There is something to be said for actually meeting people says Martin – and there s a sense of belonging to place. Elizabeth says she agrees and that the “bumping into people on the street”. Not everyone can approach mentors or ask for help – facilitating introductions and helping people to meet. We need to include people who may not be quite so socially outgoing.
Actually I am starting wonder is there too much emphasis on inbred networking in digital and not enough with just getting on #event004
Our scribe @Hankers4Charlie will be writing up coverage of #event004 live & post event – we’ll link to full feature when blogged
Question about critical mass and whether wealth and critical mass can spread from London. And Tech_Britain raises the issue of finance. Elizabeth says it’s not the £5m we need it’s 25k – or maybe £10k. We need to look at very early stage businesses into which those who’ve done well in other businesses can invest in early stage business.
Whoa Snoreditch alert! Bow & worship all Mancs! #event004
Stuart Smith – the investment question is very complex. Been going for 4 years and he feels there is an obsession about finance and not enough focus on trade. Trade will build economic recovery he argues and it needs a build up of trust in new business.
"There’s too much emphasis on investment and not enough on trade" #Event004
@StuMSmith "Trade will rebuild the economy" yeh! #event004
Point from tenant about investment – we have a free model and we have revenue down the line; funding is problematic give that we need to build up users and our value in its user base.
Web businesses can fail or succeed quickly – it’s about spread bets for them – often Angel funds. Problem is there’s lots of these new businesses and that means that the barriers to them getting funding are higher.
Ian is asking who from Manchester is just going to build something and get on with it. Participant says it doesn’t matter whe the money comes from – why is it a problem going to London for money?Andrew Barlow of Applearn and Andrew Mullet have joined the panel. Andrew says he hasn’t got an investor – we might need an investor to help build machines. We don’t want an investor.
Andrew says he helped to start Manchester Confidential – and he doesn’t see the funding thing.
Interested to hear of a lack of infrastructure in mcr at #event004. I agree we need to be more supportive, collaborative & collective.
Of course the IP laws relating to digital in the UK compared to the US does make the industry far less attractive to invest in #event004
Ian says we need to go back to our “Grandad’s business model” sell stuff that people want to buy. A participant says that no one should go for a big bang exit company – certainly not in Manchester. It is true that some businesses need a runway – but that is not true of all of them It’s all about the people and the atmosphere.
Ian argues that there’s not much missing – we need to attack the right people.
Shaun Fensom has joined the panel and he says Manchester has the 2nd biggest tech scene in Manchester – big enough to have scale; small enough to be able to bump into people.
Taking about the importance of community & collaboration #event004 – can elevate a startup
"Manchester is all about the people and atmosphere" #Event004
#event004 development versus the need to bring in £££ – "don’t forgot about your staff & value of the city" (from the floor)
@StuMSmith funny how these ‘off the cufflinks’ comments develop #event004
@MartinSFP groan! 😉 there is the talk title! #event004
FENSOM! #ledge #event004 pic.twitter.com/VUrEV9tVjonthebeef
Ian says “do they push themselves to do things they couldn’t do without your Hub” to Elizabeth Varley. She says the important thing is the challenge you get from those around you. But sometimes people just have to push on.
We need to say ‘fuck off’ to the hoops that VCs et al want us to jump through and get on with the job in hand. #event004
RT @sharpproject: #event004 BBC talking about innovation studio – bringing people in to pitch across network, again, collaboration becoming a key theme
A frustrated entrepreneur speaks from the back of the room. He says in Boston most of the people wanting to do startups the are in there twenties or even in their teens. Also we seem to have a much more stratified or structured market and this inhibits working across boundaries. Over focus on big companies. Missing link is bringing disciplines together and helping young people to get more involved. Mentions the endowments of the big US universities.
A participant says he set up a business and grew it organically. He ended up selling it and getting the same amount of money as someone who set up with equity investment. Both were people-based companies. An exit route is a bit more complicated – and potential buyers will also point that out to you.
"It doesn’t matter whether you take the equity funding or revenue funding route as long as its right for the business" #Event004
Ian says it’s about doing something that matters. “Find people you don’t know who’ve done stuff and hang out with them. Find a life that matters and create an impact.”
#event004 closing statements from @IanAspin – be aware of obstacles but look to the community, achieve more with people around you
Nice bit of jostling and debates and questions #event004
Ultra-Connected Smart Cities
An INCA event in Manchester
“Today INCA launches a Special Interest Group for ‘Ultra-Connected Smart Cities’ – those cities in the UK working to improve their digital infrastructure. The launch event at Manchester Town Hall has attracted a large audience wanting to find out what cities like Manchester, Bristol and Derby are planning. They also have an opportunity to hear about major private sector initiatives, including City Fibre Holdings plans for commercially-funded urban fibre to the home (FTTH) networks, and new wireless broadband initiatives.
The Special Interest Group brings together public, private and community organisations in a dialogue about how our cities can get the best digital infrastructure for future prosperity and economic growth.”
Here’s a liveblog of the event:
Shaping the Catapult…
Shaping the Connected Digital Economy Catapult
A focus on SMEs
Storified by Brian_Condon · Thu, May 10 2012 12:06:24
Here’s the briefing material for the day:
“The workshop will start with a presentation on the vision, scope and process for the establishment of the Catapult and will be a chance for participants to understand and debate the range of ways companies will be able to work with the catapult, including strategic partnerships, delivery partnerships, and participation in projects and use of resources and facilities.
The main part of the workshop will delve into and debate the type of resources and facilities that the centre could provide that would benefit SMEs once the centre is established; note that this will not be about specific technology areas or projects, but about the nature of the gap that SMEs face and where practical support from the Catapult would make a big difference.
The information captured from the debate will be used as part of the ongoing development phase of the CDE Catapult and will form valuable input into the initial business plan for the centre.”
#CDECatapult meeting starts with 100 people @nick_appleyard @kramix @drgeep @brian_condon @JeremyS1
In a room with windows, high ceilings, room to breathe….. must be the SME day for the #cdecatapult !
RT @marekpawlowski: Interested to hear from anyone at #cdecatapult with a view on the importance of user-centred design in digital industry
At Bristol Science Park workshop on how SMEs will engage with #CDECatapult. Essential to find ways of involving them at the heart of it.
Nick is introducing the CDEC and some of the work that has been done on the CDE Catapult. Consultations going on over several years. Over the 7 catapults there will be £250m available to invest.
@nick_appleyard presents on #cdecatapult in Bristol pic.twitter.com/kBrr9A9HBrian_Condon
The playing field is the internet #cdecatapult
#CDECatapult will be important – flagship even – at the right point in history for convergence (e.g. of tech / creative).
Good question: what is a #CDECatapult? What does it do? Hopefully finding out, we’ll let you know!
Conference underway, briefing from @nick_appleyard on connected digital economy #CDECatapult pic.twitter.com/8Amy2jcsAlex Craven
Questions:How do SMEs get involved with the #cdecatapult
7 Catapults in total – ICT-heavy – centres to help grow the economy – looking at big conversations – all interconnected #CDECatapult
Catapults take on big challenges, big conversations of very diverse sets of people #cdecatapult
Aim of #CDECatapult: UK to be a global leader – where people/companies come to innovate for digital services/media/content.
End to end visibility of media content across infrastructure – how to monetise? #IP fits nicely here #CDECatapult
@EIP_Digital Don’t you think "end-to-end visibility" of content on the Internet is an oxymoron though? #cdecatapult
@brian_condon Depends on the level – packet-level can trace vs. content-level tracking (e.g. who has/is downloading what).
@EIP_Digital but the ISPs/Telcos keep saying they don’t do Deep Packet Inspection……#cdecatapult
@brian_condon They don’t but they could (at least technically). E.g. If legal structure was in place. #CDECatapult
We, as an SME working with digital data (legal services), also need help exploiting power of the Internet for global business. #CDECatapult
Good to hear @nick_appleyard recognising central role of UX at #cdecatapult. Hope today will define how #cdecatapult most effectively helps
SMEs much less well-behaved than delegates at other sessions – asking questions before the Q&A session! #cdecatapult
Graham was right – in the other meetings I’ve been to, people waited until the Q&A to ask questions – actually these participants wanted to get into the debate.
@graham_hitchen if you want disruption, they’re the ones to provide it at #cdecatapult
That’s a new slide on the governance structure of #cdecatapult
#cdecatapult shd be funded around £20-30m per annum around 100-200 people
Advisory board include sme representation #cdecatapult
Outline business plan by June, launch by autumn #cdecatapult
150 SMEs responded to registration of interest in #cdecatapult
Strategic partner of #CDECatapult – organisation w/ resources to help centre (mainly large companies/public bodies could be co-ops of SMEs).
@JeremyS1 discussing role of SMEs in #CDECatapult: most innovation in the digital economy comes from them. pic.twitter.com/vXjT3RHAFrank Boyd
What’s the point? SMEs hv key role in this space. It’s abt innovation that comes fm SME space #cdecatapult
Internet is the lab, digital startups are researchers, SMEs the innovators #cdecatapult
Irene’s tweet above was much re-Tweeted and it seemed to capture the imagination and put the pieces together very cogently. Others also picked up on this theme:
The Internet is the lab – from Bell Labs to connected SMEs. #CDECatapult
@JeremyS1 : ability to be flexible, innovative is inherently an SME capability #cdecatapult
SMEs key to success of Catapult; in high velocity environment they are the innovators #cdecatapult
How do we harness SME capability for UK, and how do we grow and scale that #cdecatapult
Simplest ways for SMEs to be involved in projects but there are other ways #cdecatapult
Jeremy used a quote from Albert Einstein which @kramix links to SME participation:
"If we knew what we were doing, it wouldn’t be called research." SMEs innovate through their flexibility #cdecatapult @wmgsme
New slide on role of SMEs in #CDECatapult pic.twitter.com/dVyvO4CwBrian_Condon
Collaboration is key. But I argue, convergence is the opportunity #cdecatapult
SME capability matching seems right up your alley @jaybal #cdecatapult
Some ways for #CDECatapult to experiment – not sure how this links to what’s already out there? pic.twitter.com/uP4tIUieBrian_Condon
#cdecatapult should model interdisciplinary working, addressing cultural issues blocking effective collaboration in the convergent landscape
Need for hack days – ideas generation as well as demonstrators- showcasing what has been done #cdecatapult
Like the idea of spare-time skunk works & themed hack days to experiment – IPR headaches abound though. #CDECatapult
@jeremyS1 singing praises of #SMEs: researchers, innovators, speed adopters, disruptors – with hotline to consumer appetites #cdecatapult
Collaboration between different entities to remove cultural boundaries & friction. E.g. Big & small companies working together. #CDECatapult
Reminder from @JeremyS1 #cdecatapult must reflect flexibility of digital industry it serves. Best achieved through dialogue with SMEs IMHO
Delighted UX is topping list of #cdecatapult proposals for year one capabilities. Hope multi-disciplinary projects will also get attention
@mcseain @nick_appleyard hopefully #cdecatapult capabilities can help facilitate some of that UX skill to make it easier for SMEs
Moving into questions now and the question of location for the CDE Catapult emerge. Needs to be maximum accessibility for the maximum number of people says Nick Appleyard. Jemy Silver argues that some things can be done virtually – not all the people at this meeting are in the room many of them are looking remotely. A questioner says that “Shoreditch and Manchester” are impossible to get to!
How does a 1-location centre help SMEs nationally? Very good question – virtual integration coupled to a physical location. #CDECatapult
Answer: one centre accessibility to everyone rather than be dispersed. Creating a singularity? #cdecatapult
Obvious really. RT @marekpawlowski: Perhaps single main #cdecatapult should link with existing regional hubs ….?
#cdecatapult TSB putting forward the case for the Catapult. Should it be one centre or spread out across the Uk?
Need right balance between physical/virtual – virtual first. Spend time fixing physical location problem – key. #CDECatapult
Of course, many in the room (especially us SMEs) were thinking that the ‘virtual’ stuff is all very well but most of us don’t have the bandwidth for serious telepresence applications.
Where should the Connected Digital Economy Catapult be located? Where SMEs are or where expertise is? Near strategic partner? #cdecatapult
@EIP and many SMEs collaborate from different national offices – tools and solutions exist. #CDECatapult
How do we create interactions, maintain all the conversations across the country? #cdecatapult
@ireneclng using business platforms such as our WMCCM infrastructure @jaybal #cdecatapult
#cdecatapult debate highlights the difficulty of creating operational model for Centre which purports to have micro/SME culture at its heart
I agree that it’s difficult – but it is possible. Needs a different approach to engagement than that which works with Big Companies and some new thinking on how resources are provided.
Naturally, location kept coming up:
Location is obviously a well-trodden touchy subject! #CDECatapult
@bjh_ip yeah – a difficult one alright #cdecatapult
A few questions about how a single physical #cdecatapult can be useful to SMEs throughout country. Is network of centres needed too?
TSB ‘supervising’ is too strong a term. aspiration is that #cdecatapult is independent and collaborative with voices of many
Good question: how does public/private split work? How’s does it differ from TSB? #CDECatapult
What’s in it for SMEs? Resources, expertise to help you scale, grow and compete globally? #cdecatapult
Obvious really. RT @marekpawlowski: Perhaps single main #cdecatapult should link with existing regional hubs ….?
@nick_appleyard about creating conditions & part of the environment leading to innovation. It’s free to make the decisions. #cdecatapult
Brokerage for microSMEs: where service-providers (attorneys, accountants, solicitors, consultants) can help w/ exposure. #CDECatapult
In Bristol and Bath SP; questioner says "Manchester and Shoreditch are impossible to get to…" I came here from Kent! Ha! #cdecatapult
Key challenges emerging: location, collaboration, resource, funding/bidding, and speed! It must be quick in this environment #cdecatapult
Lots of brainstorming and chat on the Twitter ‘backchannel’ – some of which I could only capture by tracking n=both ends of the conversation – difficult to follow without using the hashtag!
ORegan wondering what the stone is in the catapult? It is David and Goliath! #cdecatapult
Think #CDECatapult needs to be more than another incubator – lots of these already existing.
SMEs are the engine of innovation. SME asks if the #cdecatapult will offer real co-location office space and what support is up for grabs?
@ireneclng gov’t likes defining how parties have specific skills. Was at EU event where only uni’s spoke cos they had ‘ideas’ unlike SMEs.
@Acuity_Design if any group has the license to do things differently #cdecatapult shd have. Do we still remember how?
@Acuity_Design perhaps the counterbalance of large org power is the SME spring? #cdecatapult
@ireneclng metaphorical models of pivots, levers, etc may not help describe a political/financial creation #cdecatapult
Q. How do we make #CDECatapult profitable for microSMEs? Can commercial relationships help? [within EU-law]
Consensus growing that SME delegates’ disruptive potential inversely proportionate to their politesse to the hosts #cdecatapult
@creativeKTN Disruption as oligarchy meets artisans #cdecatapult
Now we are moving into workshop groups – will continue to add content to this Storify if possible.
#cdecatapult Groups asking what the Centre should provide. Be bold in vision and don’t just do what’s happening already. Make it special
My group discussing how #cdecatapult can work. 6 in the group – 4 from Universities.. Speculating about what SMEs might need 🙂
Lots of talk on how to make #CDECatapult worthwhile for SMEs – need to understand problems faced by SMEs – difficult for public bodies.
Creative thinking on #cdecatapult struggling with the need to fill in a form….
Workshop 2: why and how would a fictional SME get involved? (Designs for #CDECatapult on a postcard.)
Success for #cdecatapult will be in *how* it behaves rather than *what* it does
#cdecatapult cannot deliver incubation space or business support – but might be part of a local ecology where this is available in spades
Does #cdecatapult need operational (JV?) model combining very specific capabilities with a broader range of business incubation services?
During the feedback session for Workshop 2 we heard 2 minute feedback presentations from each of the working groups – indicating the wide-ranging ideas for scenarios for CDEC operation. A common theme of brokering relationships, building consortia, helping to take risk and coordination emerged.
Good discussion on a hypothetical SME. One thing is clear, SPEED is crucial. #cdecatapult
Tweets about #cdecatapult have reached 11,556 people http://t.co/LtBCzsPR via @tweetreachapp
#CDECatapult as broker – working on multiple geographic levels in UK; providing access to advisors. #brainstorming
Company has big idea – don’t have resources for design/manufacture/testing. Need project management by #CDECatapult. #brainstorming
SME based in innovation centre – recommended to #CDECatapult – put in touch with advisors & investors. Reduction in risk. #brainstorming
Need to answer what is in it for the SME? #CDECatapult #brainstorming
Bar to entry for #CDECatapult – incentive to join club & share. #CDECatapult
#cdecatapult scenarios all need "convening power", relationship building/brokering, intervention to accelerate and build scale and speed!
"We’re all into localism now." Does a national centre like #cdecatapult need local points of presence? Affiliated universities suggested.
A recurring theme for SMEs is "time". Don’t drain it: offer things that create more of it. #cdecatapult.
Service exchange. VC connections. TSB funding facilitators. #CDECatapult #brainstorming
Good day at #cdecatapult. Good recurring themes emerging- things are progressing but still work to do. Use of case studies worked well todayPeter L
Using scenarios and user journeys proved a powerful framework for generating ideas for #cdecatapult – we need more models like this.Frank Boyd
Agree case studies very useful. Thanks to all who attended. #CDECatapultBen Hoyle
Will be interesting to see how #CDECatapult progresses – broad themes emerged & there was momentum at end of day. The hard part follows…EIP Digital
CDEC workshop – priorities, priorities
NextGen Roadshow – York and North Yorkshire
Connected Digital Economy Catapult
The Technology Strategy Board is consulting widely about the Connected Digital Economy Catapult – “to address the challenges of maximising the economic value of the growing digital economy to UK businesses”.
This is an area of great interest to my colleagues and me at the Centre for Creative Collaboration and we have been involved in previous discussions (in the days of the ‘Technology Innovation Centres’).
On Friday last, I went to the Information Day held by the TSB as part of the process. Here’s some thinking in the form of an audioboo, based on the Storify summary I produced. My previous post has a liveblog made during the meeting which combines notes and collected tweets from the CDEC hashtag.
Connected Digital Economy Catapult – Liveblog
Here’s the Liveblog from the #CDEC meeting on 16 March 2012
But where’s the Jet Packs?
When I was a kid – programmes about the future always had Jet Packs. But Sunday’s Home of the Future programme didn’t have any – though it does reduce one family’s energy use by 40%.
Working with Amplified, Christian Payne (@documentally) and I were asked to see whether we could help to generate conversations and wider interactions around a TV show, and more particularly to see whether we could help to add more members to and raise awareness of an innovation challenge which is sponsored by E.On the giant energy services company. The challenge, E.ON Innovation is about finding new ideas to help the UK save energy. It’s based around a Channel 4 TV programme “Home Of The Future”.
Amplified is a Not-for-profit; a social business, we have a network of freelancers (me included) who use social media to ‘cover’ events aiming to enable and encourage community participation around events, conferences and public conversations.
We are independent. We do loads of events, mostly for Charities or 3rd sector organisations; sometimes for big public organisations; occasionally for big companies. Our experience with bigger organisations, especially public companies has varied. Bluntly, if it’s about PR spin and ‘control of the message’ then ‘we’re out’ (as they say…) if it’s about conversation, good intentions and opening up then we’ll have a go.
We did our due diligence. The opportunity came through a conversation between Roland Harwood and Steve Lawson of Amplified on Twitter – actually they were talking about Jazz, I think, and then the idea of Amplified helping with the E.ON Innovation project came up. Amplified has worked with Roland and his 100% Open business a number of times before and he helped with Amplified getting started while he was at NESTA. Christian pinged his various networks asking about E.ON – you can read his post about it. I got stuck in to the websites.
I spent time on the Home of the Future website, read the background on 100% Open’s involvement and spent more time on the E.ON Innovation website and I read the Terms and Conditions. The Ts&Cs were interesting (bet this is the first time you’ve read that!).
You can submit your ideas on the “Open ideas track” where they can be seen by the members of the site and they can be openly discussed and voted on – with obvious impact on any potential rights you may have – and you’re eligible for the prize. There’s also a “Private venture track” and the document says “Private submissions are suitable for those who wish to enter into a business relationship with E.ON. You won’t be eligible for a prize.” If you go this route – 100% Open becomes your Agent; you can sign them up to a confidentiality agreement and your idea doesn’t get seen by E.ON until both you and 100% Open agree. The site makes it clear that you need to think carefully and take independent advice. In other words, you need to be a grown up about this stuff!
I like this approach. It’s completely transparent. And the other thing is – there’s no shortage of ideas; getting them to turn into something tangible is the difficult bit. As early stage and Angel investors often say “Ideas are easy; execution is hard”. Sometimes, collaboration and involving others can be a way to move things on; and you always have the option not to share stuff. For well developed ideas or businesses that have an existing product or service then you can opt for the private track.
We agreed terms of reference for Amplified’s work; we’d Tweet, do a liveblog, have editorial independence and use the same protocols we have developed in our other work on events. We’d use our judgement. The liveblog would focus on the programme and we’d have conversations around it and the E.ON innovation ideas. Then we’d review it – see how it was and have a chat with 100% Open about it – which is what we’re doing this week.
It was an odd experience – but fun. Normally with Amplified we are at an event, working as a team and there’s a lot of interaction; side chats and banter. And we’re in the same physical space as the participants at an event. This time it was all online; and it was fast and furious. The time really flew by, I watched the programme with my family; hearing their comments and following the timeline on both hashtags and monitoring the liveblog. The show itself is very ‘wow gadget’ and a bit light on implications – it’s entertaining. The fact that they’ve reduced the family’s energy consumption by 40% even with 3 electric cars and all the gadgets is impressive. I watched it again on C4+1 as my lot went off to do other stuff. As I’d seen the programme once already, I had a bit more time to look at Twitter and see what other people were saying.
We talked about it over a family dinner. Someone had tweeted (Christian, I think?) that it’s when you see programmes like that and other people’s responses to it – you realise that not everyone is an early adopter! My kids thought that it was only a bit in the future – and we talked about how difficult it is to see what might happen. We all know that we have to look hard at ways to save energy.
We also talked about all those programmes when we were kids – Tomorrow’s World, Horizon; and that we were promised jet packs. We were certainly promised jet packs!
Here’s the Liveblog – let me know what you think, especially if you have views about Amplified’s involvement: