In this article, we take a look at Broadband Connectivity Assessments, when they are required and what they involve.
Our Broadband Connectivity Assessments will enhance your planning journey by ensuring that your new build development provides either superfast broadband speeds and/or Fibre To The Premises (FTTP) infrastructure. This assessment may be required as part of the planning process and we will ensure that you receive the information you need to fulfil your planning obligations as quickly as possible. Failure to provide these services can create amenity issues which can ultimately lead to objections and planning refusal, which can cost you time and money to resolve.
What are Broadband Connectivity Assessments?
There is a national requirement to ensure that new residences have access to superfast broadband download speeds (understood to mean a minimum of 30 Mbps). In some local planning authorities, there is a requirement to ensure that FTTP infrastructure is installed.
FTTP is where a fibre connection is made throughout the entire connection between the exchange (or wider external network) and the residence. FTTP is considered to be the best form of broadband infrastructure and is understood to be ‘future proofed’ due to the potential for much faster speeds.
The purpose of a Broadband Connectivity Assessment is to confirm the availability of superfast broadband services and/or FTTP infrastructure. Pager Power’s report includes:
- An overview of internet services and infrastructure available in the UK.
- A review of broadband provider coverage checkers to establish the current availability of broadband speeds and infrastructure. This includes the following broadband providers:
- Openreach;
- BT;
- Sky;
- Virgin Media;
- Hyperoptic;
- OFNL; and
- City Fibre.
- This search is undertaken for up to 10 locations, including the proposed development location itself.
- Investigation of the process for obtaining superfast broadband and/or FTTP infrastructure for new build developments.
- An overview of guidance on Data Ducting Infrastructure for New Homes (internal and external).
Pager Power can also undertake consultation or a review of coverage infrastructure maps to provide further details (as appropriate). This may include direct consultation with one or more broadband providers.
When are Broadband Connectivity Assessments Required?
Planning permission for residential and/or office building developments of a certain size may be subject to a condition on broadband connectivity. A Broadband Connectivity Assessment is often a requirement in cities, such as Manchester and Bristol, to ensure that either superfast download speeds are provided and/or FTTP is installed for prospective residents. In new articles to follow, we will take an in depth look at the specific requirements in Manchester and Bristol.
More generally, Section 10 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), December 2023, provides the following guidance in England, of which the most relevant extract is shown below.
‘118. Advanced, high quality and reliable communications infrastructure is essential for economic growth and social well-being. Planning policies and decisions should support the expansion of electronic communications networks, including next generation mobile technology (such as 5G) and full fibre broadband connections. Policies should set out how high quality digital infrastructure, providing access to services from a range of providers, is expected to be delivered and upgraded over time; and should prioritise full fibre connections to existing and new developments (as these connections will, in almost all cases, provide the optimum solution)…’
Contact Us
Pager Power has significant experience in undertaking broadband connectivity assessments and industry experience regarding the types of infrastructure that are available. Pager Power can advise on the current availability of superfast broadband services and FTTP infrastructure. Pager Power can also advise on the process for obtaining superfast services or FTTP infrastructure for your future new build development where it is not currently available. If you require a broadband connectivity assessment, follow the steps below.
- Contact us. Pick up the phone (+44 (0)1787 319001), drop us an email, or complete our enquiry form. We look forward to hearing from you. We will likely recommend an initial call or video call to discuss your project.
- Receive a proposal. After discussing your project, we will look over the technical details and provide you with a proposal setting out our approach.
- Trust us with your project. After agreeing to move forward with us, the project will be assigned to a technical expert, who will be your personal point of contact for your project.
- Report delivery and aftercare. We will deliver the report within the agreed timeframe and then discuss with you the next steps. In many cases, our role is complete at this point as we will have successfully navigated the issue at hand however if further work is required, we are dedicated to providing you with the support you need to receive planning permission.
Pager Power
Pager Power is a dedicated technical consultancy that has been providing independent guidance and advice regarding solar developments, wind farms, and building developments internationally since 2002. Further details about what services we can provide can be found here. Pager Power has completed over 1,400 glint and glare assessments, over 1,000 aviation/radar impact assessments, over 500 television and radio reception surveys, and over 500 telecommunications impact assessments.
If you require assistance for one of your projects, please get in touch on our website or call us on +44 (0)1787 319001.
Thumbnail image accreditation: Planet Volumes (July 2023) from Unpslash.com. Last accessed on 29th September 2024. Available at: https://unsplash.com/photos/a-group-of-buildings-with-a-cloud-above-them-LSHbKz7szL0
