UK government makes gigabit-capable internet connections mandatory in new England homes

The UK government has enacted legislation requiring new houses in England to have “lightning-fast” gigabit-capable internet connections.

According to government estimates, gigabit broadband – internet capable of download rates of at least 1 gigabit per second – is now accessible across over 72% of the UK. However, a new rule that went into effect in December intends to raise that proportion even higher by making it a legal requirement that new houses be equipped with infrastructure and connections capable of delivering gigabit internet.

“The updated regulations mean that more people moving into new homes will have a gigabit-capable broadband connection ready when construction is finished,”

The catch is that property developers’ connection expenses would be restricted to £2,000 per home.

“Nothing, whether it’s an inattentive landlord or a property developer’s inability to respond,” digital infrastructure minister Julia Lopez said of the new legislative standards.