Cross-sector collaboration key to unlocking Local London’s digital potential

ITS and Local London convene leaders to support inclusive growth and strengthen the case for digital investment across London’s fastest-growing boroughs.

A clear message is taking shape among public and private sector leaders: to unlock Local London’s digital potential, we need stronger collaboration, clearer national policy, and a louder, united voice to put the sub-region’s priorities on the map.

That was a standout takeaway from a recent cross-sector conversation hosted jointly by ITS — operator of the UK’s largest dedicated business-grade full fibre network – and local authority group, Local London. The session brought together senior voices from local government, industry, and regional organisations to explore how digital infrastructure can drive economic growth, improve public services, and deliver inclusive opportunity across Local London.

Local London — a sub-regional partnership of nine boroughs — is home to 2.6 million residents and 100,000 businesses, making it larger than the cities of Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool combined. It is also London’s fastest-growing area, yet investment in digital infrastructure has not kept pace. More than 114,000 homes and businesses across the boroughs still lack access to gigabit-capable connectivity.

The discussion revealed a sub-region rich in opportunity — from emerging AI clusters and creative industries to data centre development and smart city ambitions. But these strengths are held back by fragmented infrastructure planning, a mismatch between digital policy and service delivery, and misconceptions at national level about London’s true coverage. Without targeted support and coordinated action, boroughs in east London risk missing out on the digital infrastructure needed to compete and grow.

Above all, attendees stressed the need for a unified narrative. While many boroughs are leading valuable local initiatives, leaders agreed that a more compelling, collective story must be told — one that links digital infrastructure directly to wider outcomes in education, skills, mobility, housing, and innovation.

This shared voice, they argued, is essential to unlocking national recognition and securing the long-term investment needed to drive fair, sustainable growth.

The conversation built on the ambitions set out in the Fair Economic Growth through Digital Connectivity paper from Thames Estuary Growth Board, which positions the region as the UK’s next AI and digital powerhouse. Sharing geography and ambitions with the Thames Estuary, participants supported the report’s call for bold public-private collaboration to accelerate progress across the region.

Local London is seeking investment across its boroughs to:

• provide ubiquitous gigabit capable broadband services to all residents and businesses in the sub-region by in-filling existing gaps in service availability.
• deliver dark fibre and high-speed business connectivity services to growth areas, business parks and data centres to drive economic growth and regeneration.

⇒Read our Delivering Economic Growth in Local London: Digital Connectivity Requirements paper.

“There is real opportunity across this part of London and the wider Estuary corridor,” said Daren Baythorpe, CEO of ITS. “The boroughs that make up Local London have the scale, the ambition, and the economic weight to help lead the UK’s digital future — but this can only be realised if we get the right infrastructure in place. We were pleased to support a conversation focused on moving forward, together.”

Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, Chair of Local London’s Growth Board that leads on digital and Mayor of Newham, reinforced this direction:

“Digital inclusion is vital for people in our boroughs. Yet across Local London there are over 100,000 premises with no or only the lowest level of digital connectivity and this is curtailing opportunities for people and businesses.

That’s why we are committed to working with private and public sector partners to close this digital divide. It is only through wide collaboration and appropriate investment that we will bring high-speed connectivity to east London, and out into the Thames Estuary. This is fundamental for digital inclusion and our joint vision to lead the UK’s AI and digital future.”

ITS remains committed to supporting Local London’s ambitions — by convening conversation, sharing delivery insight, and contributing to the infrastructure required to build a more connected, resilient, and inclusive future.

Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, Chair of Local London’s Growth Board that leads on digital is the Mayor of Newham and also Data and Innovation lead for London Councils. She will be one of our Leaders speaking at UKREiiF – the UK’s leading real estate infrastructure and investment forum – in Leeds 20-22 May 2025.

Discover more about our digital infrastructure asks.