The first evidence session will focus on the roll out of superfast broadband in Cumbria, one of the original NGA (Next Generation Access) pilots. The Committee will question witnesses about the experience of the East Cumbria Community Broadband Forum (ECCBF) on issues such as DEFRA’s Rural Community Broadband Fund and the challenges faced during the roll out.
The Committee will go on to question representatives from BT, the Broadband Stakeholder Group, and Microsoft, about issues including the uses and demand for superfast broadband, regulation and policy, and infrastructure & service provision.
The schedule of meetings is as follows:
Tuesday 12 June
3.30pm - Rory Stewart, MP for Penrith and The Border, and Mr Miles Mandelson, Chairman of Great Asby Broadband (Vice Chair of the ECCBF)
4.30pm - Mr Sean Williams, Group Strategy Director, BT
Wednesday 13 June
3.30pm - Mr Richard Hooper and Mr Antony Walker, from the Broadband Stakeholder Group
4.30pm - Mr Jean-Jacques Sahel, Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs at Microsoft