Damien Moore MP Hails Publication of DSIT's Broadband Report and Proposed Changes

Damien Moore MP welcomed the publication of DSIT’s Broadband Report and
proposed regulatory amendments.

Local Member of Parliament, Damien Moore, welcomes the publication of the Department
for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT), report ‘Fixed-Line Broadband Infrastructure
Sharing in England’, relating to the usage and installation of telegraph poles for fixed-line
broadband deployment across the UK.

The report, published by the Minister of State for Data and Digital Infrastructure, Julia Lopez
MP, directly relates to the usage of both telegraph poles and subterranean ducting by private
broadband providers in delivering the Government’s flagship ‘Project Gigabit’ programme,
delivering gigabit-capable connectivity to 99% of UK premises by 2030.

The report concludes that the Government’s continued commitment to ensuring there
remains a competitive broadband market to ensure price competition and affordability for
consumers, utilising both telegraph poles, subterranean ducting, and ‘share(d) apparatus’ in
practicable locations; legislated under the Electronic Communications Code (Conditions and
Restrictions) Regulations 2003, Communications (Access to Infrastructure) Regulations
2026 and Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022.

The report emphasises the necessity of third-party broadband providers sharing existing
infrastructure where practicable, announcing a proposed legislative amendment to
Regulation 17 of the Electronic Communications Code (Conditions and Restrictions), to
further encourage coterminous utility infrastructure usage, alongside restraint on the
installation of new telegraph poles in locales where subterranean installation is not
reasonably practicable. Further, the report emphasises the necessity for third-party
broadband providers to ensure appropriate community engagement prior to installation,
ensuring that the siting of supplementary infrastructure does not cause obstruction to traffic,
or unduly impacts the visual amenity of the local area.

The Fixed Line Broadband Infrastructure Sharing in England Report has been published in
light of continued representation from Mr Moore, on behalf of residents and community
organisations across Southport.

Commenting, Local Member of Parliament, Damien Moore, said:
“After raising community concerns on the 29th of February, 2024 regarding the imminent
installation of fibreoptic poling across Southport, I welcome DSIT’s publication of the Fixed-
Line Broadband Infrastructure Sharing in England notice, proposed amendments to
Regulation 17 of the Electronic Communications Code (Conditions and Restrictions), and
report conclusions.
“In light of the considerable community concern raised over the installation of telegraph
poles across Southport, I am continuing to call for the immediate suspension of pole
installation to facilitate additional consultation between Openreach and community
representatives, to achieve a resolution respecting both residents' views and Southport’s
unique cultural and economic heritage.”