The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority has marked a significant milestone in the region's journey towards economic prosperity through this week’s launch of the West of England Digital Office.
This pioneering initiative is projected to unlock a £1.3 billion annual economic boost through enhanced broadband and mobile connectivity, benefitting particularly the 16,000 households still lacking superfast internet access.
The West of England Digital Office is poised to be a groundbreaking model, serving as one of the very first of its kind in the UK. A key component of this initiative is the developing regional ‘Dig Once’ policy, aimed at minimising short-term disruption while ensuring long-term benefits for residents and the telecom industry alike.
The Digital Office will function as a dedicated, single point of entry for the telecom industry, cutting through red tape to expedite infrastructure improvements across the West of England. By simplifying and standardising processes across council boundaries, the Digital Office will remove barriers to investment and provide specialist advice to ensure project efficiency.
Digital Innovation and Transformation Programme Manager at the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, Freyja Lockwood, said:
“The opening of our new Digital Office is an important further step to attract tens of millions of pounds of further investment into our region, particularly in more rural areas, helping people to work flexibly and stay connected in our modern world.
“Better broadband will mean reliable connections for businesses and residents across the region. Streamlining processes now for businesses will make it easier in the future for residents to stream all of the brilliant film and TV that’s made here in the West of England.
“The new Digital Office will accelerate the deployment of critical infrastructure in the West of England. By addressing common challenges, we can continue to drive innovation and create optimal conditions for broadband projects to be delivered more quickly.”
The initiative aims to deliver real benefits to residents and businesses throughout the region. Improved connectivity is expected to enhance access to digital services, boost productivity, and create new opportunities for economic growth. For the telecom industry, the Digital Office promises a streamlined approach to infrastructure development, fostering a more efficient and collaborative environment.
Private investment in better broadband and mobile connectivity is a cornerstone of the West of England Digital Office's strategy. By creating a more attractive investment landscape, the initiative is set to drive significant improvements in digital infrastructure, ultimately contributing to the region's economic vitality.
The launch of the West of England Digital Office represents a bold step forward in the region's commitment to enhancing digital connectivity and unlocking economic potential. As one of the first of its kind in the country, this initiative is expected to serve as a model for other regions looking to harness the power of digital infrastructure to drive growth and prosperity.
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