The “Collaboration Nation” conference organised by the Technology Strategy Board showcased the 84 feasibility studies chosen in the Digital Britain innovation competition, worth in total £2m. Further funding and support will be available for the next phases:
A DIGITAL TESTBED will enable innovators to test out their ideas, experimenting in a realistic setting and demonstrate the opportunities to potential investors. The TSB are planning for this to go live during the summer. I have to confess that I don’t really understand what this “testbed” actually is, but the picture on the screen looked like an impressive networks operations centre.
A new concept, NETWORK SERVICES DEMONSTRATORS sounded more the sort of thing that will appeal to community groups. There is another £2 million up for grabs in a new TSB competition starting on the 10th May. As well as looking at technical issues, the competition will be looking for innovation in business models. This could be a great differentiator for projects which deliver tailored community services.
Going further, with the DIGITAL BRITAIN projects (both those which went through feasibility and other new ones), there is another £18 million available in a competition beginning in July. The focus of this will be on collaborations which bring together industries and communities. There will also be another round of feasibility studies again next year.
Two other areas are also the subject of funded competitions. £8m is available for TRUSTED SERVICES SOLUTIONS in a competition starting on 10th May, and £5m for SMART METERS AND SMART GRIDS later the same month.
So over £30m allocated for innovation in this area – impressive in times of such financial crisis. I suppose there is a risk that these initiatives get cut after the election, but on the scale of things £30m doesn’t make much impact on the deficit.
Community broadband projects have been successful in the first round of feasibility studies. The well known Cybermoor project in Alston, and a neighbouring project in Weardale both got through and presented their work. 21Media from Lancaster University who worked with WrayComCom also got funding for a study into utility-like community networks providing a standardised infrastructure for multiple providers and service offerings. Aegis Systems were looking into low-cost backhaul using the 1800 MHz band, and Broadband Access Strategies LLP are building a review of cost-effective technologies for rural areas.
For more on these and other projects go to http://digitalbritain.innovateuk.org/
Wednesday 7 April 2010
COLLABORATION NATION – DEPLOYMENT AND OPERATION OF DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE
“Collaboration Nation” was the conference organised by the Technology Strategy Board to showcase the 84 projects chosen in the Digital Britain innovation competition, worth in total £2m. One of the afternoon strands focused on infrastructure issues, the most relevant to community broadband initiatives.
BATH LABS was the first presentation. Their project aimed to demonstrate NGA delivery to flats, hotels etc at speeds of 1Gbps using unused bandwidth in the existing internal terrestrial TV distribution system. They reckoned this gave faster installation and reduced costs. A major advantage is that the TV system will already have maintenance arrangements (usually high quality). The market is a sizeable niche, though the many and varied installation arrangements can make a one-size fits all solution difficult. Neat solution for valuable niche.
NEXUS ALPHA have developed a very low power computer and are looking to take that further to 0.5W to 3W in order to run solar powered WiFi. This would be ideal for remote regions, bringing web connectivity to otherwise unconnected communities, and for temporary systems in emergency or relief situations.
To my mind, the most interesting presentation for community broadband groups was from POWERLINE TECHNOLOGIES. They string fibre over the overhead electricity infrastructure. A head-end is then installed on the final pole, where the transformer is located (and which is already reinforced). This provides 200Mbps to an average of 8 homes over broadband powerline communications. The same system can also provide backhaul into 3G not-spots and smart-grid capability to the electricity company, thereby sharing the costs between more players. They aim to do a proof of concept trial in April, and are looking for community partners.
ZAP CORPORATION’S pitch was totally different. They have a method of IP packet inspection which enables them to insert targeted content (ads) into IPTV streams. A profiling engine allocates individuals to one of many sub-sectors, allowing ad agencies to select appropriate content to be delivered. There are some data privacy issues, though active consent and the fact that individuals’ information is not released to the ad agencies get around most of them. Clearly this is a coming service – time will tell whether this is the right technology.
For more on these and other projects go to http://digitalbritain.innovateuk.org/
BATH LABS was the first presentation. Their project aimed to demonstrate NGA delivery to flats, hotels etc at speeds of 1Gbps using unused bandwidth in the existing internal terrestrial TV distribution system. They reckoned this gave faster installation and reduced costs. A major advantage is that the TV system will already have maintenance arrangements (usually high quality). The market is a sizeable niche, though the many and varied installation arrangements can make a one-size fits all solution difficult. Neat solution for valuable niche.
NEXUS ALPHA have developed a very low power computer and are looking to take that further to 0.5W to 3W in order to run solar powered WiFi. This would be ideal for remote regions, bringing web connectivity to otherwise unconnected communities, and for temporary systems in emergency or relief situations.
To my mind, the most interesting presentation for community broadband groups was from POWERLINE TECHNOLOGIES. They string fibre over the overhead electricity infrastructure. A head-end is then installed on the final pole, where the transformer is located (and which is already reinforced). This provides 200Mbps to an average of 8 homes over broadband powerline communications. The same system can also provide backhaul into 3G not-spots and smart-grid capability to the electricity company, thereby sharing the costs between more players. They aim to do a proof of concept trial in April, and are looking for community partners.
ZAP CORPORATION’S pitch was totally different. They have a method of IP packet inspection which enables them to insert targeted content (ads) into IPTV streams. A profiling engine allocates individuals to one of many sub-sectors, allowing ad agencies to select appropriate content to be delivered. There are some data privacy issues, though active consent and the fact that individuals’ information is not released to the ad agencies get around most of them. Clearly this is a coming service – time will tell whether this is the right technology.
For more on these and other projects go to http://digitalbritain.innovateuk.org/
Friday 2 April 2010
COLLABORATION NATION – HIGH POTENTIAL PROJECTS
“Collaboration Nation” was the conference organised by the Technology Strategy Board to showcase the 84 projects chosen in the Digital Britain innovation competition, worth in total £2m. I’ll write a few separate posts about different aspects of it – this first one covers the first session where four “high follow-on potential” projects were presented.
First up was GNODAL. They are developing a new generation of 10/40 Gbit Ethernet switches for use in NGA networks. Their switches virtually eliminate congestion, are scalable and have low power consumption, hence lower costs and carbon emissions. They are now looking to develop a 2Tbit testbed capable of delivering 100Mb/s per user to 20,000 homes. All very clever no doubt, but only exciting to techies.
RENAISSANCE SOUTHEND described how they were helping to regenerate Southend – famed for its creative industries, apparently - by building a wireless mesh network off the back of the council/school Gbit backbone network. More work is needed on the cost plan and business model evaluation, as well as an e-commerce element to the website front-end. A bit vague on what innovations are coming, and not that original otherwise.
PROVISION described their Stadia Casting project which provides wireless video and information feeds direct to smartphones for crowds at big events, like pop festivals or major sporting events. The idea is to provide people actually at the event with the same or better services as those watching on TV at home. Certainly needs doing, though smartphone screen may be a bit small – iPad perhaps.
ILLUMINA DIGITAL closed the session. They are working to improve the workflows of the UK TV content distribution platform. Currently this is a mish-mash of manual and digital processes – ultimately it will be an integrated digital system including features such as DRM. Good luck guys – it sounds like herding cats.
For more on these and other projects go to http://digitalbritain.innovateuk.org/
I’ll be posting more comments over the next couple of days.
First up was GNODAL. They are developing a new generation of 10/40 Gbit Ethernet switches for use in NGA networks. Their switches virtually eliminate congestion, are scalable and have low power consumption, hence lower costs and carbon emissions. They are now looking to develop a 2Tbit testbed capable of delivering 100Mb/s per user to 20,000 homes. All very clever no doubt, but only exciting to techies.
RENAISSANCE SOUTHEND described how they were helping to regenerate Southend – famed for its creative industries, apparently - by building a wireless mesh network off the back of the council/school Gbit backbone network. More work is needed on the cost plan and business model evaluation, as well as an e-commerce element to the website front-end. A bit vague on what innovations are coming, and not that original otherwise.
PROVISION described their Stadia Casting project which provides wireless video and information feeds direct to smartphones for crowds at big events, like pop festivals or major sporting events. The idea is to provide people actually at the event with the same or better services as those watching on TV at home. Certainly needs doing, though smartphone screen may be a bit small – iPad perhaps.
ILLUMINA DIGITAL closed the session. They are working to improve the workflows of the UK TV content distribution platform. Currently this is a mish-mash of manual and digital processes – ultimately it will be an integrated digital system including features such as DRM. Good luck guys – it sounds like herding cats.
For more on these and other projects go to http://digitalbritain.innovateuk.org/
I’ll be posting more comments over the next couple of days.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)