The government is asking the construction industry whether it should include installation of broadband technology into new buildings within the ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Regulations. Government is keen to see the UK at the cutting edge of technology, and it feels that the inconvenience of retrofitting broadband is discouraging its wider use by business.

The consultation document, ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Regulations and Electronic Communications Services (broadband), has been issued by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. The introductory letter says that ministers would need to be sure that legislation is the best way forward, and "that they would achieve the objective of significantly increasing broadband take-up".

There are several key areas of consultation. Firstly do consultees think lack of existing ducting to buildings is a barrier to take up? The second question is would the addition of ducting make retrospective installation easier; and if so, would there be a need for new ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Regulations requiring the installation of cable ducts or would builders provide them voluntarily? There is a draft of proposed guidance included in the document. The consultation document can be downloaded from www.safety.odpm.gov.uk/bregs/consult/brecs/index.htm

Source

ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Sustainable Design