Political Monitor 11/09/2020

11 September 2020

Ofcom

Ofcom Publish Connected Nations Update: Summer 2020

On Thursday, Ofcom published their latest Connected Nations update for Summer 2020 which is based on coverage and service availability information received from communications providers. Some key findings include:

 

Broadband

Written Question

Jonathan Lord MP (Con) asked what steps DCMS is taking to ensure that superfast broadband is available throughout the UK. DCMS Minister Matt Warman MP listed the options available to those struggling with slow speeds. These included the voucher scheme that can be used by rural communities across the UK to reduce the cost of installing gigabit-capable connectivity and ‘Top-up’ schemes run by Local Authorities. Warman also reiterated the £5 billion Government pledge to invest in the hardest to reach areas of the UK and that supplier engagement has taken place over the summer, and their feedback will be used to refine and finalise the delivery vehicle of the programme which will launch the first wave of procurements in early 2021.

Written Question

Mick Whitely MP (Lab), asked whether DCMS has assessed the potential merits of introducing statutory restrictions on the amount that telephone and broadband providers can charge customers in call-out and repair fees. Warman replied that the Government is not currently considering restrictions on call-out and repair fees in telecoms. However, Warman said Ofcom was taking measures to protect consumers including the voluntary automatic compensation scheme, which BT, Sky, TalkTalk, Virgin Media, Zen Internet, Utility Warehouse, and Hyperoptic have all signed up to. Ofcom also obliges communication providers to prioritise repairs for disabled people, and to ensure that these charges are not higher than standard charges. Ofcom will also be publishing a report on industry progress around their ‘Fairness for Customers’ commitments in Q4 2020/21.

Data Protection

National Data Strategy Published

On Tuesday, the Government published its long-awaited National Data Strategy which gives an overview for the action they plan to take on data policy going forwards. Within the Strategy, the Government outlined the four core principles for better data usage. Firstly, data foundations need to be improved with a focus on having the best systems in place and improving data quality to ensure it is fit for purpose.  Data skills also need to be a focus, making sure that people can make the best use out of this data but also that their skills are regularly updated as systems and uses improve.  Thirdly, for data to be effectively used it must be accessible and easily shared making it available for all to use and benefit from.  Finally, there is an emphasis on the use of responsible data. Such information must be used in an ethical manner which also supports innovation – there must be a balance between the two principles. Some further points from the Strategy include:

Government Publish Smart Data Review

This week, Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Labour Markets Paul Scully MP, announced the Next steps for Smart Data. The document outlines the Government’s plans to build a more efficient and secure system – Smart Data – the secure and consented sharing of customer data with authorised third-party providers. Some key points from the document include:

 

Cyber Security

Funding Boost to Help Healthcare Suppliers Improve Cyber Security Announced

This week, DCMS and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) announced  £500,000 of funding to boost healthcare firms’ cyber security. The announcement comes after the NCSC identified a heightened cyber threat to the UK health sector in relation to the pandemic, with cybercrime groups attempting to steal sensitive intelligence, intellectual property and personal information. Participants can receive training to make sure electronic devices are kept up-to-date, and proper firewall usage to secure devices’ internet connections is in place. Firms could also receive support from one of the programme’s cyber experts to identify the organisation’s cyber security risks. Digital Infrastructure Minister Matt Warman urged all organisations to sign up to the Government’s Cyber Essentials programme to get the fundamentals of good cyber security in place.

Written Question

Shadow DCMS Minister Chi Onwurah MP asked Warman what role local authorities will play in the removal of Huawei from the 5G network; and what plans DCMS has to engage with local authorities on that removal. Warman replied that the equipment that operators use to deploy digital infrastructure is chosen based on their own commercial decisions and is not affiliated with any local authority. The process for complying with the Government’s decision on the use of Huawei 5G equipment will include commercial decisions that are for the mobile operators to make. Warman concluded that the Telecoms Security Bill will provide the Government with the powers needed to compel mobile operators to limit or remove high risk vendors from their 5G networks.

Online Safety

Greater protections for victims of online abuse proposed by Law Commission

The Law Commission has today outlined a number of reforms designed to protect people from harmful behavior online. The proposals, laid out in the Law Commission’s consultation paper, aim to ensure that the law is clearer and effectively targets serious harm and criminality arising from online abuse. The proposals would cover emails, social media posts and WhatsApp messages as well as communication sent over private networks such as Bluetooth or a local intranet, which are not currently covered under the Communications Act 2003. Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden thanked the Law Commission for its review and looked forward to seeing the final recommendations on its proposed reforms to criminal law next year.

ISPA events

ISP Business Model Webinar Series

If you haven’t already, make sure you sign up to the ISP Business Model Summit event which this year will take place over a series of 3 separate webinars exploring areas of growth for ISPs. Below are further details of the webinars being held from 24th September onwards:

Enhance your customer value proposition webinar and ISPA AGM
24th September – 2pm-3pm

Networks webinar
1st October – 2pm-3pm

Marcin Bala, CTO, Salumanus

Increase your network security
8th October – 2pm-3pm

 

ISPA Awards Online Ceremony

You are invited to the 22nd annual ISPA Awards ceremony, which will take place on a very engaging online platform on Wednesday 18th November from 4.30pm-5.30pm. Please add this date to your diaries and RSVP to awards@ispa.org.uk if you would like to secure your free ticket. More information will be revealed soon but rest assured that although we can’t meet in person this year, we will make the ceremony exciting and fun as always. Keep your eyes peeled for future announcements!