COLLABORATION NATION - NEXT STEPS

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/