Policy GESP33: Digital Spine
To support the digital and economic transformation of the Greater Exeter area, the Greater Exeter councils will work together with public and private sector partners to develop a regional fibre spine as indicated on the transport strategy diagram (Figure 8.1) and Key Diagram [to be published in the next version of the GESP]. The regional fibre spine will:
- Provide gigabit-capable full-fibre connectivity across the GESP area, linking to key assets along their routes
- Provide a network of open access ducting with capacity to accommodate multiple fibre optic cables and/or sub-ducting
- Enable the development of carrier neutral Digital Exchanges at key nodes
- Be owned, managed and maintained by the Greater Exeter Digital Infrastructure Cooperative
8.54 To support the digital and economic transformation of the Greater Exeter area, the Greater Exeter councils are committed to work together and with public and private partners to create a Greater Exeter Digital Infrastructure Cooperative. This will be a community organisation run on a cooperative and mutually beneficial basis by its members. It will invest in, manage and maintain infrastructure that can lead to the digital and economic transformation of the area. The Cooperative will comprise the Greater Exeter councils and any public and private sector stakeholders with an interest in furthering the digital and economic transformation of the area. The Cooperative will lay a regional spine of open access ducting and fibre connecting key assets along its route, using dig once opportunities wherever possible. Commercial operators, community groups and public sector partners will be able to lease space within this ducting through which to “blow” their own fibre optic cables, or pay to splice into the network at various points along it. This will provide opportunities for new and improved connections for anyone, including hospitals, public authorities, large businesses or entire rural villages. The digital spine will also stimulate commercial rollout of gigabit-capable fibre to premises across the area.
8.55 In addition to the regional spine, the development of Digital Exchanges are fundamental to the digital and economic transformation of the area. Digital Exchanges are neutral exchange points for digital networks (physical and electronic) to meet, offering low cost internet transit and hosting, shared space for server location and data centres and flexible office space with technical/ business support. They have the potential to act as a catalyst to the growth of digital and tech- creative industries and encourage clustering of such businesses.
8.56 The regional spine will be connected to the main Digital Exchange (DEX) which is likely to be located in Exeter city centre. Exeter Digital Exchange (E-DEX) will act as a main hub of digital connectivity on this regional spine, and will include the full suite of DEX features. The regional spine will have key nodes along it where branches of the network meet and where significant demand exists. These nodes will benefit from the development of local DEX points which can act as satellites to E-DEX and spread the benefits across a wider area.