Reforms made today to outdated legislation will reduce the costs
of housing phone masts and other communications infrastructure on
private land. This opens the way for faster and more reliable
broadband and mobile services, particularly in rural areas.
Changes to the UK’s Electronic Communications Code will:
- bring down the rents telecoms operators pay to landowners to
install equipment to be more in line with utilities
- providers, such as gas and water;
- make it easier for operators to upgrade and share their
equipment with other operators to help increase coverage;
- make it easier for telecoms operators and landowners to
resolve legal disputes.
, Minister of State for
Digital, said:
It’s not good enough that many people are struggling with poor
mobile and broadband connections which is why we are improving
coverage across the UK.
We want everyone to benefit from the growth of digital
services. Removing these outdated restrictions will help
promote investment in new technologies such as 5G, and give
mobile operators more freedom to improve their networks in
hard-to-reach places.
By the end of the year all mobile operators are required to
deliver coverage to 90 per cent of the UK and 95 per cent of all
homes and businesses will be able to get superfast broadband, but
more needs to be done.
These reforms will help to drive investment and stimulate the
continued growth, rollout and maintenance of communication
technology infrastructure, an increasingly significant area of
the UK’s economy.
Hamish MacLeod, Director of Mobile UK said:
The Electronic Communications Code is an important piece of the
puzzle alongside further planning reform that will help mobile
operators to overcome the challenges they face with expanding
their networks, while also developing innovative services for
customers.
Good mobile connectivity is no longer an optional extra. It is
essential infrastructure as core to modern economic activity as
broadband, electricity and other essential services.
Mark Talbot FRICS, Chair of the Royal Institute of Chartered
(RICS) Surveyors Telecoms Forum Board, said:
RICS recognises the critical role that a modern, efficient and
equitable digital infrastructure has on the future development
of the UK economy. RICS has worked closely with our colleagues
in DCMS to ensure that the new Code enables investment in our
national digital infrastructure whilst balancing the needs of
the public and private property owners.
With high speed internet seen by many as the fourth utility
service the public and businesses expect access to digital
services when they want and as they want, and RICS believes
that the reformed Code is a great step forward towards this
ultimate goal.
The old Electronic Communications Code was originally enacted in
1984, and became out-of-date as technology evolved, making it
difficult for landowners and network operators to reach
agreements and resolve disputes when rolling out modern digital
infrastructure.
The Government reformed the Code through the Digital Economy Act,
which received Royal Assent in April. The supporting regulations
laid in Parliament today will bring the new Code into force,
which is expected to take effect in December 2017.
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
- The Government has today laid draft regulations in Parliament
needed to commence reform of the Electronic Communications Code.
The changes will help ensure network providers achieve the
coverage and connectivity targets set by government to reach the
hardest-to-reach places in the UK.
- The Electronic Communications Code (the Code) is the
legislative framework that enables electronic communications
network providers to construct electronic communications
networks. The Code was reviewed by the Law Commission in 2012
which recommended reform, and the Government has carried out
extensive consultation with all stakeholders before bringing
forward the amendments to the legislation.
- For further information on reform of the Electronic
Communications Code:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-publishes-proposals-for-a-new-electronic-communications-code
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/digital-economy-bill-2016
