UK Government Proposes New Measures to Accelerate Gigabit Broadband Deployment in Flats

The UK government has unveiled a consultation aimed at tackling persistent barriers to deploying gigabit-capable broadband in certain property types, particularly flats. While the country has made remarkable progress towards achieving nationwide gigabit coverage — with 89% of premises now connected — significant challenges remain for multi-dwelling units (MDUs), especially those with leasehold tenures. This issue is critical as gigabit-capable broadband is not only a cornerstone of economic growth and international competitiveness but also represents a booming sector valued at £50 billion.

Current Status of Gigabit Broadband Deployment

As of May 2025, 86.1% of all residential premises in the UK have access to gigabit-capable connections. However, when focusing on flats, this figure drops to just 79.6%, leaving an estimated 1.2 million flats in England and Wales without this essential connectivity. The existing legal framework supporting broadband deployment is governed by the Electronic Communications Code (the Code) and the Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Act 2021 (TILPA). Despite these measures, challenges such as identifying the relevant freeholder and lack of incentives for property owners to cooperate with network operators continue to hamper progress.

Proposed Policy Solutions

The consultation introduces a core proposal to empower leaseholders in MDUs to request gigabit-capable broadband connections. A new implied right would allow residential leaseholders to formally request a connection, which would also place a duty on freeholders not to unreasonably refuse such requests. This mechanism is envisioned as a