Key Projects
Funding Programmes
Government funding programmes can be critical to the commercial viability of digital infrastructure projects - particularly in the hardest to reach areas. GreySky has extensive experience of developing broadband projects and securing government funding - for local authorities, communities and operators. Our experience includes state aid notifications, business case development and bidder submissions. In addition to helping to secure funding, GreySky supports the implementation of projects to ensure the practical delivery of benefits to communities.
BDUK / DEFRA – Rural Community Broadband Fund
GreySky supported the pilot community broadband projects in Cumbria – helping them to develop their projects and applications under the RDPE funded Rural Community Broadband Fund, and developing guidance for future applicants to the fund. The project identified the detailed technical expertise needed to support community broadband projects and ensure they complement county-wide development plans.
Rural Community Broadband Fund – Rothbury
GreySky worked with Northumberland County Council and the Northumberland National Park Authority to develop a superfast broadband project for Rothbury and its surrounding small villages under the Rural Community Broadband Fund. GreySky led all aspects of the project, including technical development, project planning, procurement and state aid. The project was the first community led superfast project in the UK to be awarded state aid approval and RCBF funding.
North Wales – Local Full Fibre Networks
The six local authorities that form North Wales collaborated to develop and deliver a combined digital strategy for the region as the basis for securing and directing significant funding - including £8 million of LLFN funding and £30 million of Growth Deal funding. Following completion of the strategy, GreySky continued to support the successful funding applications.
Community Broadband Scotland
The GreySky team have provided extensive support to secure funding for the development of broadband projects in remote communities across Scotland. We have undertaken Technical Options Appraisal projects for a number of communities, and progressed projects through to successful delivery – including advice on appropriate technologies, commercial viability, State aid, procurement and contracting.
Super Connected City Programme
Working with AMION Consulting, GreySky provided support for Newport’s successful Super Connected City bid – establishing demand and outline business case. GreySky went on to lead the demand stimulation and promotion programme for the project delivery. This formed the basis for the ongoing support of similar voucher schemes in Coventry and throughout the UK.
Lincolnshire County Council – Rural Broadband Pilots
GreySky worked with Lincolnshire County Council to develop ERDF funded pilot projects to bring superfast broadband to disadvantaged rural communities. GreySky led the delivery of the pilots, including procurement and state aid to ensure the effective practical implementation to challenging timescales to meet ERDF requirements, and to establish detailed learning for their BDUK programme.
Digital Strategy
As digital technologies become central to all aspects of society and the economy, an effective digital strategy is an essential part of the strategic development for all local authorities. A practical digital strategy also forms a critical starting point for securing funding and delivering change. GreySky's strategic projects focus on specific local conditions and requirements for practical delivery.
Ards and North Down - Digital Strategy
With the digital sector in Northern Ireland dominated by Belfast, Ards and North Down Borough Council recognised the need to establish an effective digital strategy. GreySky supported them to develop a strategy to leverage the power of developments in Belfast and across the province to benefit the local economy and communities - covering digital infrastructure, skills and sector developments.
Herefordshire Enterprise Zone
The early development of Herefordshire Enterprise Zone identified a problem of extremely poor broadband delivery. GreySky was appointed to identify the broadband service requirements for the site, determine the most effective means of delivery, and support through to completion of delivery. GreySky designed and supervised construction of the open access duct infrastructure for the site, and the development of the concession agreement for its commercial operation.
Nottingham City Council – Ultraband Research
A two-year research and support project focused on the adoption and economic impact of ERDF funded ultra-high-speed broadband services in key business centres in Nottingham. The project demonstrated the strong demand for gigabit broadband services among SME businesses, and the significant impact that the services had on business performance across a range of sectors.
Gwynedd Council – Very High Bandwidth Connectivity
The Snowdonia Enterprise Zone sites at Trawsfynydd and Llanbedr need significantly improved data connectivity capabilities to support their ambitions of supporting advanced research activities and data park operations. GreySky undertook the study to identify their outline requirements and commercial potential for provision of the connectivity.
Operators
GreySky's combination of technical and commercial expertise, along with deep market understanding allows us to support a wide range of operators to develop their businesses and operations. The GreySky team can support operators accessing major funding opportunities, as well as supporting through key strategic developments and helping with capacity and design developments. Using latest design tools we support a wide range of fibre and wireless network operators.
Lothian Broadband Development
Lothian Broadband's early development was boosted by the Community Broadband Scheme project in Humbie, supported by GreySky. Following the development of the community project, GreySky continued to support Lothian Broadband to assist their early development as an award-winning independent provider.
Independent Networks Cooperative Association - INCA
GreySky supports INCA to help develop a thriving and competitive digital communications sector throughout the UK. GreySky particularly supports the delivery of events and networking throughout the sector as a central means of encouraging growth through collaboration.