To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the (a) cost, (b) environmental and (c) coverage implications of the duplication of fibre networks on new build development sites.
Answered on
21 January 2022
It is a government priority to ensure that new build homes have access to gigabit-capable connections. We have a technical consultation underway on proposed new legal requirements for developers along with associated draft statutory guidance; this closes on 28 February.
As a result of the government's approach to encourage competition in the broadband market, over 65% of premises can today access gigabit-capable networks - up from just one in ten in November 2019. The sector has also benefited from record levels of investment.
Infrastructure sharing can reduce the cost and environmental burden of overbuild. We have taken a number of steps to encourage the sharing of passive infrastructure in the UK. This includes launching a Review of the Access to Infrastructure Regulations.The Government also welcomes Ofcom’s Wholesale Fixed Telecoms Market Review, which encourages competitive build in the majority of the UK.