Amendments to the Building Regulations 2010 now mean that nearly all new homes built in England must be fitted with gigabit broadband infrastructure and connections during construction.
The update means that housebuilders in England are legally required to future-proof new homes for next-generation gigabit broadband.
A connection cost cap of £2,000 per home will be implemented, with estimates suggesting that 98% of homes will fall under the price threshold. Where it is unattainable to secure gigabit connection below the cap, developers will be required to install the next fastest connection, while still implementing gigabit-ready infrastructure such as termination points, chambers and ducts to future-proof the new homes.
Cllr Mark Hawthorne, digital connectivity spokesperson for the Local Government Association, said: “Gigabit-capable internet connections in every new build home in England will help bridge the digital divide and futureproof our communities, given the essential need for access to high-speed, reliable broadband.”
“Councils have been urging developers to install the best possible access to the internet in new builds and this legal change will make all the difference, along with supporting tenants in existing blocks of flats to get the fastest connections. The government should also continue efforts to ensure all existing properties have access to the fastest possible broadband.”
“While this law will help get more people on better broadband faster, there still remains a substantial gap in gigabit coverage when comparing densely populated towns and cities to our villages and more remote areas.”
“The £2,000 cost cap covering the new scheme will have to be kept under review, so that new builds in rural areas are not disproportionately excluded from being able to get faster internet speeds.”
Source: Show House News
