Overview

This bill amends the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill, primarily focusing on improving the process for making regulations, clarifying the rights of telecommunications operators to access land for infrastructure deployment, and introducing an independent review of the electronic communications code's effectiveness.

Description

The amendments significantly alter the bill's regulatory processes. Many clauses originally allowing regulations to be made through a "negative resolution" procedure (meaning Parliament could only object to them) are changed to require "affirmative resolution," meaning Parliament must actively approve them. This provides greater parliamentary scrutiny. Crucially, new clauses are added to the electronic communications code. These clauses address the rights of telecommunications operators to install and maintain lines connected to their apparatus on adjacent land, providing clearer guidelines and processes for obtaining necessary agreements. They also include provisions for upgrading or carrying out works on the apparatus, while safeguarding against adverse impacts on land appearance, and add a national security clause to prevent the granting of access requests that compromise national security. Finally, an independent review of the electronic communications code and related legislation is mandated to assess their impact on broadband deployment and competition in the telecommunications sector, leading to potential future revisions.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify any new government spending figures. The cost of the independent review and any potential future legislative changes based on its recommendations may represent indirect future costs.

Groups Affected

• Telecommunications Operators: The amendments significantly impact their rights to deploy and maintain infrastructure, potentially reducing barriers to 1 Gigabit broadband rollout but also introducing stricter criteria for gaining access.
• Landowners: Their rights and responsibilities regarding telecommunications infrastructure are further clarified and balanced, potentially leading to more or less complex negotiations depending on the interpretation.
• Parliament: The changes enhance parliamentary oversight of regulations impacting the telecommunications sector.
• Consumers: The bill could lead to faster broadband rollouts and increased competition in the telecommunications market, potentially benefiting consumers with better services and prices.
• National Security Agencies: The national security clause gives the government the power to veto infrastructure projects that could compromise national security.

Powered by nyModel