UK Government Proposes New Measures to Tackle Broadband Access Challenges for Flats

The UK government has announced a new consultation aimed at addressing the challenges associated with deploying gigabit-capable broadband to specific property types, particularly flats. While the nation has made notable progress in expanding broadband access, achieving coverage for 89% of premises by 2025, deployment to flats, especially those with leasehold tenure, remains a stubborn issue. This lag in connectivity is hindering the country’s economic progress, as gigabit broadband is considered essential for driving growth, increasing productivity, and maintaining international competitiveness in a sector valued at £50 billion annually.

Understanding the Broadband Disparity

The disparity in broadband access is particularly notable for flats, as analysis from May 2025 revealed that while 86.1% of residential premises have access to gigabit-capable broadband, only 79.6% of flats are connected. With approximately 1.2 million flats in England and Wales lacking gigabit-capable connections, the issue is both widespread and pressing. Current legislation, such as the Electronic Communications Code, has endeavored to streamline deployment through consensual agreements between network operators and landowners. Additionally, the Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Act (TILPA) of 2021 was designed to tackle barriers in Multi-Dwelling Units (MDUs) by offering a fast-track court pathway. However, major obstacles remain, such as identifying the correct parties to negotiate with and insufficient incentives for freeholders to engage in broadband deployment efforts.

Proposed Policy Changes to Accelerate Deployment

To address these persistent issues, the government is proposing significant updates to the legal framework. The core idea involves creating a new right within existing leases, allowing residential leaseholders to request the installation of gigabit-capable broadband. Freeholders would, in turn, have a legal obligation not to unreasonably deny such requests. This measure serves as a complementary ‘nudge’ to the existing regulations and aims to foster prompt negotiations between freeholders and network providers. It would apply to residential buildings with two or more dwellings and require any newly installed connection to support speeds of at least 1,000 Mbps.

The proposed policy is seen as a game-changer for addressing the specific hurdles faced by leaseholders in MDUs. By empowering residents and increasing freeholder accountability, the government hopes to ensure that everyone in the UK, including those living in flats, has equitable access to world-class broadband connectivity. The consultation window for these proposals is open until February 2026, providing stakeholders with a critical opportunity to shape the future of digital infrastructure.

The Broader Impact on the UK’s Future

With the overarching goal of achieving nationwide gigabit coverage by 2032, these policy changes represent another step toward bridging the digital divide. Enhanced broadband access in flats will not only facilitate economic growth but also support remote working, education, and innovation in an increasingly digital society. As the UK hosts Connected Britain 2026 next September, this moment highlights the significance of accelerating broadband deployment to sustain the nation’s competitive edge in the global marketplace.