The UK government has published its 'Future Telecommunications Infrastructure Review', outlining how it plans to bring fibre broadband to the entire country by 2033. The first steps include legislation to require fibre in all new-build homes and GBP 200 million to help cover rural areas.
Without government action, fibre roll-out would reach only around three-quarters of the country in the next 20 years, the report found. Currently, the UK lags most European countries, with only 4 percent of premises covered by FTTP. However, a number of initiatives have accelerated in the past year, by operators such as Cityfibre and Hyperoptic, and the government is hoping to stimulate this further with targeted action. The review, first launched last November and consulted with industry, outlines a number of measures needed to ensure commercial initiatives cover much more of the country with fibre in a shorter period and how government can cover the remaining rural areas.
In addition to mandating fibre in all new premises, the government wants to create a 'right of entry' for rental premises to ensure broadband providers can bring in faster services easily. It will also work on regulations to standardise the network roll-out process to avoid disruption to surrounding areas and ensure operators have access to utilities infrastructure, such as pipes and sewers, to deploy fixed and mobile infrastructure. This comes on top of ongoing efforts by the regulator Ofcom to ensure access to Openreach's poles and ducts.
Rural support
With these measures in place, commercial operators are expected to cover around 80 percent of the country with full fibre and at least 15 million premises by 2025. For the remaining 20 percent, the government said it plans an 'outside-in' strategy, providing public support at the same time as commercial roll-outs are underway. It has already identified around GBP 200 million within the existing Superfast broadband programme that can further the delivery of full fibre networks immediately. However, it's expected to cost GBP 3-5 billion to cover the most difficult 10 percent of rural residences.
The report also covers how BT is expected to shut down its copper network in order to encourage the take-up of the new fibre networks. The government stressed that the copper shutdown, expected in the majority of the country by around 2030, will be "industry-led" and coordinated by Ofcom. The exact timing will depend to a large extent on the pace and take-up of fibre roll-out.
Fibre for 5G
Mobile operators are also covered by the report, with the government noting that fibre roll-out will be key to ensuring widespread 5G coverage. The report outlines the opportunities for existing and new players in the 5G market and reiterates the pledge to ensure plenty of spectrum is available for 5G. The government also published a 'digital toolkit' to help operators gain greater access to public buildings for their network equipment.
EU code
In addition, the report confirms that the UK is expected to maintain the EU's telecom regulatory framework after Brexit. Pending final approval of the new European Electronic Communications Code by the EU institutions, the UK government said it was "minded to implement, where appropriate, the substantive provisions in UK law, on the basis that it would support UK’s domestic policy objectives". This will enable the extension of market review periods to five years and provide mechanisms to aid fibre network roll-out in certain areas.
The next steps will include public consultations on legislative changes to streamline wayleaves and mandate fibre connections in new builds. The conclusions of the review will also form the basis of the government’s Statement of Strategic Priorities to Ofcom, setting out the strategic objectives and outcomes for the regulator.
