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<p>The 2017 reforms to the Electronic Communications Code were intended to make it
cheaper and easier for digital communications operators to deploy and maintain their
networks. It was the government’s view that the cost of acquiring rights to install
digital infrastructure prior to 2017 was too high and needed to be addressed. The
pricing regime now in place is more closely aligned to those for utilities such as
water and electricity and reflects the fact that access to good quality digital services
is an increasingly critical part of daily life for residents across the UK.</p><p>Following
the introduction of the 2017 reforms, DCMS engaged closely with stakeholders to understand
the impact they were having, and a consultation on potential further reform to the
Code was published in January 2021. The valuation regime introduced in 2017 was not
included in that consultation. The Government continues to believe that framework
strikes a fair balance between ensuring individual landowners are not left out of
pocket and encouraging the industry investment needed for consumers across the UK
to have access to robust digital services.</p><p>The response to the government’s
consultation was published in November 2021 and the Product Security and Telecoms
Infrastructure Bill, bringing forward the measures set out in that response, has been
introduced.</p><p>We anticipate that the changes being brought forwards through that
Bill will lead to better collaboration between site providers and telecoms operators
and help mutually acceptable outcomes to be achieved. This will speed up the rollout
and upgrading of digital services throughout the UK, providing the public with the
digital connectivity they need both now and in the future.</p><p> </p>
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