Fibre and telecoms
Fibre broadband for new homes, registered and ready on time
New homes in England must be built ready for gigabit broadband. We register your site with network operators, compare what they offer, line up ducting with your groundworks and gather the evidence Building Control asks for under Part R.
Broadband is part of the Building Regulations in England
Since 26 December 2022, Part R of the Building Regulations has required new homes in England to have gigabit-ready infrastructure and, subject to a cost cap, a gigabit-capable connection. Building Control expects to see how you have met it.
Buyers and tenants expect broadband on the day they move in, too. The work is simple when it is planned early. Network operators need to know about the site, design their network and tell you what ducts to lay. Leave it late and the ducts miss the groundworks, or plots complete without a fibre connection.
We register the site, compare what each operator offers, coordinate the duct design with your groundworker and collect the paperwork for Building Control.
Part R applies in England. Wales and Scotland have their own building rules, so we check what applies to sites there.
We handle fibre and telecoms for
- Site registration with Openreach and other network operators
- Part R connectivity plans and evidence
- Duct and chamber layouts coordinated with groundworks
- Single self-build homes
- Housing developments of any size
- Flats and conversions, including in-building routes
- Cost cap checks and next-best options
What Part R asks for, and what we do about it
Part R has two requirements, RA1 and RA2, plus a cost cap that limits what you have to spend on the connection.
| Requirement | What it means | What we do |
|---|---|---|
| RA1 Gigabit-ready infrastructure | The physical routes, such as ducts, chambers and cable paths inside the building, that let a gigabit network reach each home. | We get the operator's duct design and check it is on the drawings your groundworker builds from. |
| RA2 Gigabit-capable connection | Each new home must be connected to a gigabit-capable network, subject to the cost cap. | We register the site with operators that cover the area and record their offers. |
| Cost cap £2,000 per home | If a gigabit connection would cost more than £2,000 per home, the developer installs the next fastest connection available within the cap. Network operator contributions count towards it. | We check the figures so the cap is applied correctly and the fallback option is recorded. |
| Connectivity plan | A plan showing how the home will meet Part R goes with the Building Control application. | We put the information together with you and your designer. |
The cost cap comes from Part R of the Building Regulations for England and Approved Document R. The government's new build connectivity guidance for developers sets out the detail.
Who connects new homes, and what it costs
Openreach is the best known, but it isn't the only operator building fibre to new sites. These are the figures that shape the deal.
Openreach
Full fibre is free on sites of 20 or more premises. Sites of 1 to 19 premises pay a contribution under its rate card. Developers register sites on its developer portal with the location, plans and unit numbers.
Other network operators
Virgin Media and Gigaclear have also committed to contributing to new-build connections, and other full fibre networks build on new sites in some areas. Comparing them can lower the cost or give buyers more choice.
Self-build and small sites
A single new home falls under Part R as well. We register the plot early and check whether the operator's contribution keeps the connection within the cap.
From site registration to live broadband
Fibre is quick to install once the ducts are in. The work is in getting the timing right.
Register as early as you can
Operators need time to plan the network and issue duct designs. The best time is when you have planning permission and a layout, before groundworks start.
- 1
Site registered
We register the site with Openreach and the other operators that cover the area, with the location, plans and unit numbers.
- 2
Offers and duct design
We compare the offers, check them against the £2,000 cap and get the duct and chamber design for your groundworker.
- 3
Ducts laid
Your groundworker lays ducts and chambers to the operator's specification, ideally in the shared utility trench.
- 4
Network built
The operator installs its cables and equipment and connects each plot as the homes are finished.
- 5
Evidence for Building Control
We collect the information Building Control needs to sign off Part R for each home.
What the developer usually provides
The operator brings the fibre. The developer normally provides the routes it runs through, built to the operator's specification.
- Ducts from the site boundary to each plot, with draw ropes
- Chambers or joint boxes where the design shows them
- A duct route into each home to the agreed entry point
- In flats, a cable route from the building entry to each flat
- Records of what was laid, for the operator
Send us the site layout and planning permission. We'll tell you what else the operators need.
Common fibre mistakes on new sites
- Registering after groundworks. Ducts then have to be retrofitted, often through finished surfaces.
- Ducts laid to the wrong specification. The operator may not use them, and the work is done twice.
- Forgetting in-building routes. In flats, RA1 covers the routes inside the building as well as outside.
- Treating the cap as an exemption. Above £2,000 per home you still need the next fastest connection within the cap.
- Ending up on copper. Openreach charges £2,500 per plot that connects to copper instead of fibre.
Our fee for managing your fibre applications is agreed and fixed before we start.
Fibre and telecoms questions
Do new homes have to have gigabit broadband?
In England, yes. Part R of the Building Regulations requires gigabit-ready infrastructure and a gigabit-capable connection, subject to a cost cap of £2,000 per home.
What is the £2,000 broadband cost cap?
It is the Part R cap per home for a gigabit-capable connection. If it would cost more, the developer installs the next fastest connection available within the cap. Network operator contributions count towards it.
What is the difference between RA1 and RA2?
RA1 covers the physical infrastructure, such as ducts and cable routes. RA2 covers the gigabit-capable connection itself, subject to the cost cap.
Is Openreach fibre free on new developments?
On sites of 20 or more premises, Openreach provides full fibre free. Smaller sites pay a contribution under its rate card.
Can I use a network operator other than Openreach?
Yes. Other operators build on new sites, and Virgin Media and Gigaclear have committed to contributing to new-build connections. We approach the ones that cover your area.
When should I register my site for fibre?
As soon as you have planning permission and a layout. Operators need time to issue duct designs, and your groundworker needs them before trenching.
Does Part R apply to self-build homes?
Yes, a new home in England falls under Part R whoever builds it. We register the plot and gather the evidence Building Control asks for.
What evidence does Building Control need for Part R?
A connectivity plan goes with the Building Control application, showing how each home will meet Part R. We put the information together with you.
Does Part R apply in Wales and Scotland?
Part R is part of the Building Regulations for England. Wales and Scotland have their own building rules, so we check what applies to your site.
Other connections for your site
Need broadband for a new site?
Send us the site details. We'll register it with the right network operators and send a clear quote for managing the applications.