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Government brokers deal between BT Openreach, Home Builders Federation.
New housing developments in the U.K. will be connected to fibre broadband following an agreement between BT Openreach and the Home Builders Federation (HBF).
The deal, brokered by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), will see Openreach introduce an online planning tool that enables homebuilders to find out whether new properties can be connected to fibre for free, or if a contribution from the developer is needed to jointly fund the deployment of a local fibre network.
Homebuilders will also have access to a rate card detailing the fixed cost contributions required by developers in areas where joint funding is required. DCMS said Openreach will make a significant contribution before seeking funds from homebuilders.
"With the support of the HBF we’ve delivered a series of measures to give developers greater clarity, choice and more funding. Today’s announcement underlines Openreach’s commitment to further extend its fibre network – which reaches more than 24 million premises – to benefit even more communities across the country," said Openreach’s new CEO Clive Selley, in a statement on Friday.
"Broadband connectivity is just one thing that home buyers now expect when buying a new build, so this industry-led push to make superfast, or indeed ultrafast, broadband speeds available by default in new homes represents a very important step in meeting the U.K.’s digital needs," added digital economy minister Ed Vaizey.
It is worth noting that while the HBF will promote the initiative, homebuilders are not obliged to take up the offer.
Nevertheless, "this offer to developers will see more new build purchasers benefit from the very best connectivity to go alongside the many other advantages of purchasing a brand new home," said Stewart Baseley, executive chairman of the HBF.
Join Total Telecom for Connected Britain on the 15-16 June 2016 at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel, London.
Discover the opportunities and benefits of greater connectivity for Britain. www.totaltele.com/connectedbritain
