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; connectivity is now an essential part of everyday life and, as such, it is expected by all consumers. The UK Government have set the target of achieving 85% gigabit coverage by 2025, and 99% coverage by 2030.

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.

An amendment to the Building Regulations 2010 came into effect from 26th December 2022 which compels gigabit-ready infrastructure in residential developments. This updated requirement was implemented 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 complete infrastructure available from the first day they move into a new site. Providing this level of connectivity will help developers sell and fill the site.

Network operators are equally interested in working to provide connectivity at commercial sites as at residential sites but, critically, need to be made aware of developments at the earliest possible opportunity to enable the best, most cost-effective solution.

CityFibre

What they say: CityFibre only invests in full fibre networks, which means fibre at every point in the network, including the final leg from the street cabinet. With no reliance on copper infrastructure, our connections are the best way to ensure your buyers receive gigabit-speed, consistent and reliable internet connectivity. Provide a future-proof network capable of 10Gbit/s and beyond. Sites of 10+ plots – free issue of ducts, chambers & lids and ancillary items to site and payment of approved works to developer. Dedicated locally based City Planner for rapid and consistent turnaround of site design. CityFibre are interested in smaller plots of <10 and will provide further support and information on a site by site basis.

What we say: CityFibre is an "alternative network" or "AltNet", meaning a company that builds its own independent telecommunications network, an alternative to the big, well-known industry players like Openreach and Virgin Media. As alt-nets are building full fibre networks independently they can offer different service levels, such as symmetric speeds where the download and upload speed are the same, and sometimes serve communities that aren't served by the more mainstream suppliers. However, available coverage is limited to where the business has developed to; they don't have the universal or near-universal coverage that the mainstream players have.

Find more on the CityFibre website

Openreach

What they say: We run the UK's digital network. We're the people who connect homes, mobile phone masts, schools, shops, banks, hospitals, libraries, broadcasters, governments and businesses – large and small – to the world. It's our mission to build the best possible network with the highest quality of service, and make sure that everyone in the UK can be connected.

What we say: Openreach is the infrastructure arm of BT Group. As such, Openreach has the widest network coverage across the UK.

Find out more on the Openreach website

Pine Media

What they say: Pine Media is a Sheffield-based internet service provider with its own full-fibre network. It provides broadband connections of up to 900Mbps to residential, business and public-sector customers across Sheffield and the wider South Yorkshire area. Pine Media has a particular focus on connecting hard-to-reach rural communities and city-centre multi-dwelling units.

What we say: Pine Media is an AltNet, so network coverage is limited, but as might be expected of a Sheffield-based network operator, they do have coverage in the South Yorkshire area.

Find out more on the Pine Media website

Virgin Media

What they say: Our Gig1 broadband is incredibly fast, offering average download speeds of 1,140Mbps, providing a hyperfast service to support even the busiest of connected households.

What we say: Currently has approximately 55-60% coverage of the UK

Find out more on the Virgin Media website

Netomnia

What they say: Netomnia is the UK’s fastest-growing full-fibre infrastructure provider. Our mission is to build the third national network, providing millions of homes and businesses across the UK with access to life-changing broadband. We’re building our 10Gbps network in all four countries of the UK, connecting communities with the technology needed to access the wealth of resources the Internet has to offer. Our network consists of pure fibre which allows data to be uploaded and downloaded at the speed of light. Literally!

What we say: Altnet - therefore coverage is not universal. No build currently in South Yorkshire area, but have build on our borders in West Yorkshire & East Midlands so some residents may come into their areas. Focuses on retrofit to existing properties. Netomnia provides infrastructure while their sister company, YouFibre, is an internet service provider.

Find out more on the Netonmia website

MS3

What they say:MS3 Networks are a Fibre Network Operator building an alternative network in the North of England. We provide our wholesale partners with a range of futureproof connectivity options including gigabit broadband, ethernet and dark fibre services. Our true wholesale only model, gives residents and businesses an array of broadband packages which they can align to their individual budget and bandwidth needs.

What we say:AltNet - therefore coverage is not universal. We are led to believe MS3 are currently (as at spring 2024) building in Mexborough/Conisborough area.

To check coverage and access MS3 services, please visit MS3 website

Full Fibre

What they say: Focusing on carefully selected towns, we build full fibre infrastructure to connect residents and businesses to ultrafast, reliable internet.FullFibre operates a wholesale only model, working with preferred ISP partners to allow for healthy competition and give the end-user more choice.

What we say: AltNet - therefore coverage is not universal. Particularly focussed on small and medium sized towns.

Find out more on the Full Fibre website

Connect Fibre

What they say: Connect Fibre is a community-minded full fibre network operator and broadband provider, on a mission to bring fast, reliable, and affordable full fibre broadband technology to the communities that need it. Priding themselves on building a high-class, quality, full fibre broadband infrastructure, their mantra is to provide ‘faster, fairer, flawless’ broadband to homes in the areas they serve. Connect Fibre provides speeds of up to 1000Mbps to its communities. Supporting local communities is high on Connect Fibre’s agenda, prioritising local recruitment, investing in community and charity groups at a hyper-local level, and offering both a 50Mbps and 150Mbps social tariff to allow accessibility of a premium service at a fair price. Connect Fibre’s network currently covers selected areas in Essex, Cambridgeshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire.

What we say:AltNet - therefore coverage is not universal.

Find out more on the Connect Fibre website

This list is not exhaustive, and other providers are available.

For further information on other technologies available, see our technologies page.

Evidence: Installation of gigabit-capable full fibre broadband in new developments

The types of evidence that can be submitted include:

A contract or invoice for the installation of the physical infrastructure and the connection to gigabit-capable full fibre broadband (must match the stipulation in the original requirement by the Local Authority)
Confirmation of the speed that will be achieved by the gigabit-capable full fibre broadband infrastructure, from the network operator