EU: Gigabit Infrastructure Act - (EU) 2024/1309

clohamon

…on measures to reduce the cost of deploying gigabit electronic communications networks.

New regulation from EU to increase transparency and access to infrastructure capable of holding/supporting telco gear. Includes obligations on other network utilities and public bodies to engage and cooperate - including penalties. Also Includes measures to speed up permitting, coordinate civil works and present geo-referenced information to the telco sector at a single information point.

When many of these measures were introduced as a EU Directive in 2014, Ireland effectively strangled it at birth. Now that it’s an EU Regulation it’ll be harder to avoid - thankfully. Must be law in Ireland by Nov 2025.

clohamon

A DECC-headed GIA steering group has been set up to advise (unknown) 'stakeholders'.

A November 2023 presentation to the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce is here.

November 2023 - Gigabit Infrastructure Act Presentation Slides.pdf

The legal presentation given to the mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce in May 2024 is here.

May 2024 - Gigabit Infrastructure Act Presentation Slides.pdf

Distributed implementation of Single Information Point SIP looks complicated.

… and DECC seem to be thinking along those lines (note emphasis on "may" below)

clohamon

Slightly off topic, the Independent has been reporting recently on difficulties for telcos in getting access to SMP (Eircom's) infrastructure which is also covered under another regulation. Operators are critical of ComReg inaction.

https://www.independent.ie/business/technology/comreg-inaction-has-created-a-threat-to-irish-competitiveness-warns-speeds-ceo/a2072518142.html (paywall)

…“We lodged a complaint about this [with ComReg] six months ago, and we’re still waiting on action. This is a failed regulatory product.”

https://www.independent.ie/business/technology/vodafone-sky-bt-and-enet-say-key-regulation-of-eir-has-failed/a1649383302.html (paywall)

Under the aegis of Alto*, the telecoms firms are now seeking an independent expert review as a “health check for the industry” to “provide a clear indication as to whether ComReg should intervene in the market to address existing shortcomings” and “provide the basis for the Government to grant ComReg additional powers”.

"An expert report of this nature will deliver an important of [sic] enforcement in the event that ComReg is of the view it is lacking in this regard,” the letter says.

*Alternative Operators in the Communications Market