Key Facts

• The Bill's title is seen as not fully reflecting its ambitious goals.
• Over 96% of the country is covered by the superfast broadband programme, reaching more than 3 million premises.
• £5 billion will be invested to deliver gigabit-capable networks without delay across the UK.
• The universal service obligation gives people the legal right to request a decent and affordable broadband connection if they cannot get 10 megabits per second.
• York is an example of successful investment in digital infrastructure.
• Gigabit broadband supports older people's independence, flexible work arrangements, and better connectivity for commuters.
• Up to 3,000 applications a year could go to the tribunal from suppliers seeking access.
• The Bill addresses difficulties in connecting multi-dwelling units (MDUs) due to lack of landowner cooperation.
• About 40% of requests for access by operators receive no response.
• The Prime Minister and Warman want nationwide gigabit-capable connections by 2025.
• The Digital Economy Act updated the electronic communications code in December 2017.
• Operators have not used the power provided under this act, partly due to high costs (estimated at £14,000 per application).
• There are approximately 450,000 multi-dwelling units in the UK housing around 10 million people.
• The proposed tribunal process will cost less and be faster than the current method, estimated at six or seven months with uncertain outcomes.
• The Labour Government oversaw first generation broadband reaching 50% of households within a decade.
• Under Conservatives, fibre has reached only 10% of homes in the past decade.
• OECD ranks UK 35th out of 37 countries for broadband connectivity.
• 85% of small and medium-sized enterprises reported productivity issues due to unreliable connections in 2019.
• 11 million adults lack basic digital skills.
• The West End food bank in Newcastle receives many visits from parents sanctioned because they cannot sign on online.
• The Prime Minister promised full-fibre connectivity to all households by 2025.
• The Queen’s Speech dropped the 2025 reference, stating only that new laws will accelerate gigabit-capable broadband delivery.
• Network builders face significant challenges in gaining access to multiple-dwelling buildings due to unresponsive landlords; 76% of MDUs miss out on initial efforts to deploy fibre.
• Labour has plans to reform the leasehold system.
• BT committed to fit 15 million homes with fibre by 2025.
• The Rights of Entry (Gas and Electricity Boards) Act 1954 allows utilities access to properties for maintenance purposes.
• Only 62% of rural areas can get 4G reception from all four operators, compared with 96% in urban areas.
• Mobile UK calls for equal focus on mobile network roll-out.
• The Government's programme has allowed the re-monopolisation of broadband networks.
• Other countries, like France, have higher infrastructure access competition.
• In 2008, Ofcom ran a consultation on fibre access for new build but no progress was made since then.
• The closure of Dartmouth’s cottage hospital in 2017 has left community members concerned about their health services.
• Devon and the south-west lag behind other parts of the country in terms of connectivity (transport and digital).
• The MP played a role in shutting down the UK's domestic trade in ivory last year.
• The Bill aims to address barriers to commercial deployment of telecommunications infrastructure in Scotland.
• The SNP supports the proposals which will unlock opportunities for telecoms operators in multi-dwelling units.
• A consultation on 'New Build Developments: Delivering gigabit-capable connections' was published by DCMS on 29 October 2018.
• A response to the consultation is expected within three months, followed by legislation implementation through amendments to building regulations.
• The speaker spent several years working in the telecommunications sector before entering politics.
• Network operators miss appointments due to property access issues, leading to financial costs and delays for end-users.
• The Government is committed to providing gigabit broadband across the UK by 2025.
• The Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Bill aims to improve broadband access for both renters and new homebuyers.
• For renters, the Bill allows telecom companies temporary access rights to install broadband in multiple-dwelling buildings where landlords have not responded to requests.
• It mandates that new homes be built with gigabit-capable connections installed by developers working with broadband providers.
• Reliable fast internet is crucial in modern life; four out of five people believe access to the internet is a human right.
• There are nearly 700,000 people without decent broadband connections according to Ofcom.
• The Labour Government's record shows first-generation broadband reached 50% of households in a decade compared to less than 10% under Conservatives for full fibre.
• In the UK, fibre-to-the-premises connections rank 19th out of 19 countries and 35th out of 37 countries for fibre broadband coverage according to OECD rankings.
• There is a 30% gap in internet usage between the south-east (around 90%) and north of England (closer to 60%).
• The Bill aims to allow telecoms network operators access to buildings where landlords fail to respond to requests for infrastructure installation.
• Telecom companies should not fleece residents or crowd out smaller competitors.
• The National Infrastructure Commission estimates full fibre rollout costs at £33 billion, while the Government's manifesto quotes £5 billion.
• The Government's programme has fostered the largest digital economy in the G20 over the last decade.
• Labour party proposes nationalising BT at a cost of £100 billion.
• Effective competition is essential for broadband rollout, as demonstrated by efficient delivery in Northern Ireland.