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Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill - Sitting 5

22 March 2022

Proposing MP
Caroline Nokes Con
Romsey and Southampton North
Type
Public Bill Committee

At a Glance

Issue Summary

The statement discusses a new clause that would require operators to provide written notice to site providers offering emergency services before beginning work on telecommunications apparatus. MP Chris Elmore is moving a new clause to require the Secretary of State to conduct and publish an economic review of the electronic communications code since 2017. The statement discusses new clause 4 of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill, which requires consultations on setting a minimum period for security updates for connectable products. The statement addresses the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill and discusses the government's approach to regulating IoT security requirements.

Action Requested

The Minister does not support the proposed new clause as she believes it undermines the policy intention of enabling quick and efficient upgrading and sharing activities. She suggests discussing specific examples for further consideration but ultimately requests withdrawal of the motion, which is subsequently withdrawn.

Key Facts

  • The new clause mandates a 21-day notice period for operators planning upgrades on sites owned by emergency service providers.
  • Paragraph 17 of the electronic communications code already grants automatic rights to operators under certain conditions.
  • The scope of paragraph 17 activities is considered narrow, making an additional notice requirement unnecessary.
  • The original promise was made when the electronic communications code was introduced in 2017.
  • The Government promised a review by June 2022 but has not delivered it yet.
  • There have been over 300 legal cases since the introduction of the code, compared to just a handful prior.
  • The clause requires the Secretary of State to publish draft regulations within three months after Royal Assent.
  • Consultations are mandated with all relevant persons and any other appropriate individuals.
  • A report on consultation responses must be laid before Parliament within three months.
  • We are taking broad powers so that we can tweak them as things change.
  • The legislation will include a requirement for manufacturers to be transparent about the time for which products will receive security updates based on the first three guidelines of an internationally recognised code of practice.
  • Data from Which? shows that less than 2% of assessed products had clear information on the length of time for which they would receive security updates.
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