Developments
New Build Developments
November 2022 Update: Building Regulations 2010 (infrastructure for electronic communications) updated to compel gigabit ready infrastructure in residential developments.
Find out more information on the changes here.
Demand for gigabit-capable full fibre broadband is growing fast with households and businesses, as connectivity is now an essential part of everyday life, it is expected by all consumers. The UK Government have set the target of achieving 85% gigabit coverage by 2025.
Having the fastest broadband means households no longer have to battle over bandwidth, people enjoy the freedom to live and work more flexibly, businesses increase their productivity, and vital public services thrive.
Having the fastest connections also means the UK is fit-for-the-future, with broadband infrastructure designed to deliver for people’s needs for decades to come.
From 26th December 2022 the Building Regulations 2010 will be amended to compel gigabit ready infrastructure in residential developments. This is an outcome following the ‘Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review 2018’ and ‘New Build Developments: Consultation on delivering gigabit-capable connections.
The changes are summarised below:
- Gigabit-ready physical infrastructure necessary for gigabit-capable connections (consisting of physical infrastructure including ducts, chambers and termination points) up to a network distribution point, or as close as is reasonably practicable where the developer does not have the right to access land up to the distribution point
- Subject to a £2,000 cost cap per dwelling (includes VAT), a gigabit-capable connection (which may include equipment such as an optical fibre cable or other technological means of facilitating such a connection). Where a developer is unable to secure a gigabit-capable connection within the cost cap, developers must install the next fastest technology connection available, provided this can be done without that connection also exceeding the cost cap.
- An approved document ‘connectivity plan’ will be available for developers to submit as evidence they have complied with the building regulations 2010.
Superfast South Yorkshire will continue to work with the South Yorkshire Local Authorities development management departments to support the transition to ensure there are no gaps in the delivery of gigabit capable connectivity.
With any new development the earlier a developer engages with network operators, the more cost effective the solution and deployment will be. Information on the options available from network operators can be found below.
What is gigabit-capable full fibre?
Full-fibre networks use fibre optic cables to connect the exchange directly to each premise. Full-fibre connections are capable of delivering speeds greater than 1 gigabit per second (Gbps; 1 Gbps is equal to 1000 Mbps). Full-fibre networks are more reliable than copper-based networks and cheaper to maintain and operate. Full-fibre networks are also important for supporting high capacity mobile broadband networks, particularly future 5G networks. Full-fibre networks, also referred to as fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) or fibre-to-the-home (FTTH), consist of fibre optic cables running from the local exchange directly to each premises. Fibre optic cables transmit data using light and can carry more data with faster speeds and significantly less signal loss with distance compared to copper cables. Gigabit-capable connections can also be delivered via technologies such as cable (DOCSIS 3.1) and fixed wireless access.
Developers will be asked to consider installing gigabit-capable full fibre infrastructure from multiple network operators in order to provide choice and competition to consumers. Occupiers should be able to access broadband ideally from a choice of at least two network operators upon occupation of the premises. Developers should also consider their ability to upgrade the infrastructure in the future in order to minimise disruption to occupiers/users.
Residential Developments
Residents in new developments expect to be able to take full advantage of everything the internet has to offer including connecting to the cloud, streaming in HD or ultra-HD, video calls, low-latency online gaming, online shopping and connecting with people on social media. The provision of gigabit-capable full fibre broadband will make the properties more attractive to buyers and will meet the resident's broadband expectations.
Commercial Developments
Having the right level of connectivity is crucial for commercial developments to ensure businesses have the complete infrastructure available from the first day. This will also help developers sell and fill the site.
Network operators are equally interested in working to provide connectivity at commercial sites, but critically need to be made aware of developments are the earliest possible opportunity to enable the best solution.
Gigabit-capable Full Fibre Network Operators
