On 22 July 2020, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) announced that Ofcom will be granted new powers so it can share information with the Government about where broadband companies plan to build gigabit-capable broadband networks and to publish data where gigabit rollout is not currently planned.
The Government hopes these powers will encourage the commercial rollout of gigabit broadband in locations where it is not yet earmarked. The Government will also use the information to help decide where to spend £5 billion of funding on gigabit broadband.
The Government has also confirmed that it will move ahead with plans to reform planning laws to make it easier for the industry to share and upgrade mobile phone masts.
The Government press release can be viewed here.