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<p>The Government is committed to ensuring gigabit broadband is available across the
country as soon as possible. To support this, we are working to support efficient
network deployment and promote market competition in a variety of ways. Permitted
Development Rights for telegraph poles form part of this strategy, enabling operators
to deploy their infrastructure without costly and disruptive roadworks, increasing
the speed of rollout, and increasing competition and consumer choice.</p><p>Separately
to the Permitted Development Rights regime, we have introduced a number of changes
to legislation aimed at making it easier for operators to upgrade and share the use
of existing infrastructure, reducing the need for future installations. These measures
came into force in February and April of last year and we will continue to promote
their use and monitor their impact.</p><p>Since the Permitted Development Rights regime
forms part of a wider deployment strategy and legal framework, it would be extremely
difficult to assess the impact of that regime on the commercial performance of operations
in isolation. Furthermore, while creating the right environment to attract investment
is a key pillar of our strategy, we do not set operational targets for commercial
projects which are privately funded and managed.</p><p>DSIT is looking closely at
the way operators install fixed networks and as part of this, will consider whether
additional guidance is needed.</p>
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