Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 5 February 2020 to Question 10373 on Housing: Broadband, what steps he is taking to ensure that the legislative proposals on buildings regulations will enable householders to have a choice of provider.

We have not yet announced the content of the legislation to deliver gigabit-capable connections to new build developments. We are working with key industry stakeholders to finalise the policy and will publish the Government consultation response, including a full outline of the proposed legislation, in the Spring.

However, Government recognises the importance of consumer choice and market competition. Although we are clear the mechanisms for delivering this are primarily a matter for Ofcom we believe that existing regulations allow for network sharing and access between operators. In addition, The Electronic Communications Code and The Communications (Access to Infrastructure) Regulations 2016 give operators the right to access land and existing infrastructure.