Understanding barriers to digital connectivity in Cheshire and Warrington

Plum carried out a study supporting the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to assess barriers to connectivity and adoption of digital services in the Cheshire and Warrington area in the North-West of England. The study analysed the availability and reach of digital infrastructure in the region. It also investigated demand-side barriers to take-up[…]

Analysis of the FFT Sender Party Network Pays proposal

In the European Union (EU), representative bodies of Internet Service Providers (ISPs), such as ETNO (the European Telecommunications Network Operators’ Association), have recently reopened the debate requesting that Content and Application Providers (CAPs) pay a content levy of sorts for traffic routed to the ISPs’ networks. We describe this as a “Sender Party Network Pays”[…]

Autonomous vessels – can the potential benefits be realised?

Between 80 and 90% of goods worldwide are quoted as being moved by ships, as they can offer economic and efficient long-distance transport. Autonomous vessels provide potential advantages by reducing the impact on the environment, increasing safety, reducing costs, and addressing skills shortages. In 2019 it was estimated the market for autonomous shipping technologies was[…]

How can MNOs reduce carbon emissions?

With a current worldwide focus on climate change and environmental impacts, the telecommunications sector is being asked to examine how it can reduce its emissions and be more environmentally responsible.  At the same time, the industry is in a unique position of providing solutions to enterprises, individuals and governments worldwide to cut pollution from transport[…]

Approaches to rural broadband in Europe

Many European countries are now getting at a point in their Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) deployment where the only portions of the territory that remain uncovered are deep rural areas. In initial plans laid out a decade ago, these areas were considered very hard to reach. Policy instruments were aimed at delivering some broadband[…]

Expanding digital connectivity through satellite broadband in the 28 GHz band in Africa

Following our report on the use of 28 GHz (27.5-29.5 GHz) spectrum in the Asia Pacific region, this Plum paper considers the importance of the band for satellite use in Africa. With large parts of the continent not covered by existing telecommunications networks, next-generation high throughput satellite (HTS) systems are capable of delivering gigabit connectivity[…]

Orkney Islands: The case for digital infrastructure investment

The Orkney Islands are currently ranked as one of the UK’s most poorly served broadband areas, especially in terms of gigabit-capable broadband. Less than 2% of Orkney premises are able to access gigabit rates, and only around 66% of premises are able to access superfast (30Mbps) broadband. Around 20% of premises only have access to[…]

Diversification of the UK telecommunications supply chain: Building UK capability

This report for DCMS developed an evidence base to support policy thinking and the business case for actions to build UK capability in key technology areas identified by the Telecommunications Diversity Task Force. It sets out a summary of Plum’s research findings, proposals for interventions and supporting rationale, theories of change and an evaluation on[…]

Satellite filing and regulatory processes

Plum produced two research reports on satellite filing and associated regulatory processes to support a client on the development of its strategy for next-generation wireless communications. The first report examined the regulations and processes for securing access to spectrum and orbital positions for satellite services, including case studies on Starlink (SpaceX) and OneWeb. The second[…]

Expanding digital connectivity through satellite broadband in the 28 GHz band

This Plum paper considers the importance of the 28 GHz band (27.5-29.5 GHz) for satellite use in Asia Pacific. Next-generation high throughput satellite (HTS) systems are capable of delivering gigabit connectivity and the 28 GHz band is a key enabler to achieving this. For emerging Asian markets satellite deployments in the Ka-band can contribute to[…]