Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following the 2017 Electronic Communications Code introducing a ‘no scheme’ basis for valuing land, how they intend to ensure property-owners, including schools, hospitals, local councils, and farmers, are incentivised to host the mobile infrastructure for network roll-out.

The Code statutory valuation regime provides a framework that means, in addition to an amount for permitting land to be used, site providers may also receive compensation for any loss or damage from the operator’s use of Code rights. Although the “no network” valuation regime means additional value generated by use of the land for telecommunications purposes is not taken into account, any alternative use of the land can be considered.

Taken together, these provisions strike the right balance between ensuring landowners receive fair payments for allowing their land to be used and the public need for robust digital networks.