"DSIT proposes that leaseholders of flats gain a formal right to request a connection of at least one gigabit per second (Gbps), which the building's freehold owners could not reasonably refuse. Under the plans, flat owners would make the formal requests, meaning that renters would have to ask their landlords, although the consultation asks whether the right should be extended to renters as well."
"Using data from May 2025, DSIT estimates that 1.2 million flats in England and Wales do not have access to gigabit-capable internet services, although in some cases it admits this may be due to services not being commercially viable. It reckons that 90.8 percent of all residential properties in urban and suburban areas have access to 1 Gbps services. However, this falls to 80.7 percent for flats."
""These proposed measures would help deliver better connectivity for properties that face additional challenges to gigabit broadband rollout, and will ensure all UK families can benefit from the digital age," said telecoms minister Liz Lloyd."
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology proposes changes to the Electronic Communications Code to make it easier for service providers to install network infrastructure when a building's owners are unknown or unresponsive. Leaseholders would gain a formal right to request a connection of at least 1 Gbps that freehold owners could not reasonably refuse. Flat owners would make formal requests, with the consultation asking whether tenants should also hold the right. DSIT estimates 1.2 million flats lack access to gigabit-capable services and aims for at least 99 percent of premises to have 1 Gbps access by 2032.
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