DEMAND LEAD BDUK ROLLOUT

Should a demand lead rollout be introduced for the Non Commercially viable Exchanges?
First I guess it would have to be identified which of them exchanges were viable for FTTC not all will be. Once that is done a minimum number of subscribers could be set for the exchanges. As this rollout is basically non-commercial it could be done as a percentage say 10%. Each cabinet would also be set a trigger level again say as a percentage. Let’s use 10% again
A registration scheme would be set up and people registering would commit to taking FTTC when it becomes available. To register a £25 deposit would be put down. This would be deducted from the first bill when FTTC becomes available. Anyone could withdraw from the scheme prior to FTTC becoming available. A £5 administration fee would be deducted from the £25
The registration data could be published on each Local Authorities Web Site. This would show the total number of lines on the exchange and the minimum number of registrations required for the exchange. It would also show the total number of registrations to date. It would also do the same for each cabinet

Given the option 17% of our readers agree
http://blog.thinkbroadband.com/2012/09/poll-results-...

Good question - but has it been answered already?

Each local authority has their plans, and the budgets. They already have worked out how to allocate the budget against each portion of a bidder's bid. In effect, each plan must determine (for each exchange area) just how much of the budget is coming from the bidder, local authority, BDUK and EU development funds.

With micro-details sorted in the budget, the overage coverage of the county gets assessed. Do they meet the 90% target? Can everyone get 2Mbps? Is it feasible? Does it qualify to pass the EU state aid rules?

This turns into a detailed plan, binding both bidder & local authority, where the overall plans determine the eventual adherance to the targets.

To me, it suggests that all the planning of exactly which area gets which solution is already done. A Demand-led rollout now will only affect the order, not the choice.

And given that, for any particular area, it looks to be an 18 month rollout period (after all the interminable planning), is it worth doing? Shouldn't we just leave the successful bidder & authority to decide on the best cost-efficient order?