“CHOICE is going to be key” was one of the messages from consultants Cambridge MC when talking about what the future of telecoms in the Falkland Islands could look like.
Giving a short presentation to members of the public on March 25, Tim Passingham and colleagues presented the results of their recent survey about telecoms – 85% of respondents said their broadband was below expectations, and 77% said mobile was also below expectations, however 79% said landline services met expectations.
Cambridge MC are currently putting together a report that will be presented to ExCo in June with options for next steps, including market engagement.
One member of the public asked whether there could be plurality of service in the Islands and, given the size of the Islands, whether a traditional telecoms operator could exist alongside a market that offers choice.
Mr Passingham agreed that there could, “the short answer is yes.” He went on to say that two key things that have come out of their research so far, “the population wants choice and there is balancing that with what is affordable and achievable in this geography and with a population this size… it is obvious that different technologies are going to be needed to solve different applications.
“We think choice is going to be key to that and we think non-exclusivity is key to that…
“How you deliver long term headroom is not just a technological ‘how much bandwidth is there’… it’s more about the commercial structure, such that there aren’t things that discourage competition and new tech from coming here. That’s where the previous legislation and contract has been caught out…
“Where we’re at now, we’re in a world where the technology is far more plural.”
During conversations Mr Passingham spoke of the benefit direct to satellite services could have and how the technology is moving quickly – proposals were announced by Ofcom this week to allow the satellite calling technology across the UK.
There are limitations of this technology with Mr Passingham stating there is “no one magic bullet or panacea here, it is a trade off in technology.” He went on to speak about existing infrastructure in the Islands and the benefit of keeping this in place if it is still adding value and resilience.
Commenting on the presentation MLA Gavin Short said it was “good initial steps and I think we’re heading in the right direction.” He added that he was looking forward to seeing the report.