Correspondence

Superfast connectivity in new homes

The Government has worked with Openreach - BT’s local access network business - and the Home Builders Federation (HBF) on an agreement which aims to deliver superfast broadband connectivity to new build properties in the UK. These letters set out details of the solution put forward by Openreach and the HBF, along with the Government's response.

This was published under the 2015 to 2016 Cameron Conservative government

Documents

HBF Openreach letter

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DCMS DCLG HBF letter

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Details

The Government has worked with Openreach - BT’s local access network business - and the Home Builders Federation (HBF) on an agreement which aims to deliver superfast broadband connectivity to new build properties in the UK. These letters set out details of the solution put forward by Openreach and the HBF, along with the Government’s response.

The new deal will see fibre based broadband offered to all new developments either for free or as part of a co-funded initiative. It is estimated that more than half of all new build properties can be connected to fibre broadband free of charge to developers.

As part of the agreement, Openreach is introducing an online planning tool for homebuilders. This will tell them whether properties in a given development can be connected to fibre for free, or if a contribution is needed from the developer to jointly fund the deployment of the local fibre network.

From today, the housing industry will have access to a ‘rate card’ from Openreach which details the fixed cost contributions required by homebuilders in those cases where joint funding is required. Openreach will make a significant contribution itself before seeking any funds from developers.

HBF will promote and support uptake of the co-funding offer amongst their members, and emphasise the need to plan for connectivity early in the development.

This new offer sets a high bar for all suppliers and developers in the market, and Government will be working with industry closely to monitor success over the next year.

Updates to this page

Published 5 February 2016

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