Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the impact of the Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Act in facilitating broadband network providers’ access to multi-dwelling units to make ultrafast broadband available to tenants.

The Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Act 2021 provides Electronic Communications Code Operators with the option to apply to the courts for time-limited Code rights to be imposed in situations where a tenant of a multiple dwelling building has requested an electronic communications service, but the landlord has not responded to repeated requests for access from the operator. This process is intended to be quicker and cheaper than applying to the courts for under the standard process set out in Part 4 of the Code.

My Department will continue to monitor the impact of this legislation through regular dialogue with His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service and stakeholders, but no formal assessment has been made since the provisions came into force in December 2022 in England and Wales, and July 2023 in Scotland.