[1andrew1]

Tom Mockridge, VM's Chief Executive, writing in the Financial Times
Karen Bradley, the culture secretary, said in the House of Commons recently that “digital connectivity is as important as a connection to water”. But to connect a home or business, a “wayleave” is required. Wayleaves were introduced in the early 15th century, originally to cover the transporting of coal in Durham from the pit across church-owned land. Surprisingly, it is this antiquated rule that is proving to be one of the primary barriers to delivering better broadband in the UK.

To make a bad problem worse, wayleave rights are not granted equally. For example, water pipes run through every street and water companies are able to connect homes and businesses easily to those pipes. Telecoms companies face more red tape to gain access and then, assuming they do, face 150 per cent higher costs.

Worse still, telecoms companies are in very different positions to each other. BT, as the former state monopoly, is in all homes and businesses whereas Virgin Media and other competitors investing in infrastructure require a wayleave agreement for every new home or business they connect.

If you are trying to reach 4m new premises, the case for reform is clear. Put simply, telecoms companies need the same access rights as those enjoyed by water companies — or, at the very least, parity with BT. Only then will investors in broadband infrastructure compete on a level playing field to the benefit of customers.

https://www.ft.com/content/03f6cea4-...c-bdf38d484582