Barrier to gigabit-capable broadband removed with new TILP Bill
The Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Bill is set to become law, following its consideration in the House of Lords. Despite the technical name, the "TILP" Bill will have a significant impact on thousands of people living in apartments and flats across the UK in amending the Electronic Communications Code to introduce a “cheaper and faster” process for telecoms operators access and connect tenanted properties in residential blocks of flats. The Government stated that it expected 3000 additional residential buildings to be connected as a result.
A barrier busted: gigabit-capable broadband for all
The primary legislation was proposed by the Government in October 2019, as an effort to solve the challenges faced by telecoms companies when attempting to access properties within blocks of flats or apartments on behalf of tenants. Companies needed permission from the building's owner to enter the property and undertake the necessary works, but often received no such permission. The TILP legislation will allow an operator to, if no agreement with the landlord is reached, enter a cheaper and more streamlined tribunal process.
The Bill is a welcome development in removing some of the barriers to deployment of gigabit-capable broadband, which Government has targeted to reach 85% of premises by 2025, supported by £5bn in "Outside In" funding. While the target was watered down in the National Infrastructure Strategy and Spending Review in November 2020, industry has been assured that funding is available to match industry's own ambitious investment and rollout plans.
More to come?
In the House of Lords, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for DCMS Baroness Barran stated that the Bill contains the "flexibility to bring still more people into its scope in the future, such as those in office blocks and business parks, where the evidence points to it" and that other forthcoming measures DCMS is taking forward include "mandating gigabit connectivity to new-build developments and reforms to the street-works regime so that it better supports deployment".
As well the amendments to the Electronic Communications Code that the TILP Bill will put into place, a consultation is currently underway on whether to make further changes to the Code to help smooth the negotiation process between telecoms companies and landowners.
Want to find out more about techUK's work on fibre deployment? Sign up to our next Fibre Driving and Infrastructure Sharing Working Group meeting on Tuesday 23 March, 10:00-11:30.
Jaynesh Patel
Jaynesh Patel
Jaynesh Patel is Head of Telecoms and Spectrum Policy, leading the Communications Infrastructure and Services Programme at techUK and overseeing the UK Spectrum Policy Forum.
Jaynesh has extensive experience in the sector, having worked for CityFibre (a full fibre broadband company) and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) on digital infrastructure policy. Most recently Jaynesh led on policy and public affairs in the UK and Ireland for ChargePoint (an EV charging network).
Prior to this Jaynesh worked in the Cabinet Office for more than five years, including over two years at the Government Digital Service (GDS) supporting the digital transformation of UK Government.
Jaynesh has a BSc (Hons) in Economics from the London School of Economics (LSE).
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayneshpatel/
Josh Turpin
Josh Turpin
Josh joined techUK as a Programme Manager for Telecoms and Net Zero in August 2024.
In this role, working jointly across the techUK Telecoms and Climate Programmes, Josh is responsible for leading on telecoms infrastructure deployment and uptake and supporting innovation opportunities, as well as looking at how the tech sector can be further utilised in the UK’s decarbonisation efforts.
Prior to joining techUK, Josh’s background was in public affairs and communications, working for organisations across a diverse portfolio of sectors including defence, telecoms and infrastructure; aiding clients through stakeholder engagement, crisis communications, media outreach as well as secretariat duties.
Outside of work, Josh has a keen interest in music, painting and sailing.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2038
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-turpin/
Matthew Wild
Matthew Wild
Matthew joined techUK in August 2023 as a Programme Assistant.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2000
Tales Gaspar
Tales Gaspar
Tales has a background in law and economics, with previous experience in the regulation of new technologies and infrastructure.
In the UK and Europe, he offered consultancy on intellectual property rights of cellular and IoT technologies and on the regulatory procedures at the ITU as a Global Fellow at the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI).
Tales has an LL.M in Law and Business by the Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV) and an MSc in Regulation at the London School of Economics, with a specialization in Government and Law.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- +44 (0) 0207 331 2000
- Website:
- www.techUK.org
- LinkedIn:
- www.linkedin.com/in/talesngaspar