New-build homes to come gigabit-speed ready

Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden has said that the government will legislate to make sure new-build homes come with gigabit-speed broadband fit for the future.

The move will allow people to work from home more easily and will provide homes with fast and reliable connections for streaming TV and films on multiple devices at the same time.

Currently, a fifth of new-build homes are still being built without gigabit-speed connections, mostly in smaller developments, where the cost can be higher or network operators have not had the time they need to build in connections before completion. However, the announcement means that developers will be legally required to install high-quality digital infrastructure from the outset, make it a priority as part of the build, and ensure broadband companies are on board before the first brick is laid.

This will require housing developers to work with network operators to install internet speeds of over 1,000 megabits per second (Mbps) in new-build homes, up to a cost cap of £2,000 per dwelling.

Dowden said: “This legislation means every new home will be built fit for the future and give people access to world-class broadband speeds from the moment they move in. It’s all part of our plan to deliver on our commitment to give every one in the UK access to gigabit broadband, as we connect and level up the country.”

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick added: “We are building more new homes than at any time in the last 30 years and helping more people to get onto the ladder. We want to ensure those new homes are high quality and fit for the future. Today’s announcement will deliver internet speeds 200 times faster than you would need to watch an HD film on Netflix.”