The Council will work with the telecommunications and broadband industry to maximise access to broadband, wireless hotspots and improved mobile signal for all residents and businesses, assisting them in delivering their investment plans and securing funding to address any infrastructure deficiencies or barriers.

All new residential and commercial developments must be served by a fast and reliable broadband connection to the premises. Connection should include the installation of appropriate cabling within the homes or business units, as well as a fully enabled connection of the developed areas to the full main telecommunications network, to provide capability for the fastest available broadband access.

In exceptional circumstances applicants may be able to demonstrate, through consultation with broadband infrastructure providers, that fast broadband would not be practical or economically viable. In these cases an equivalent developer contribution towards off-site works, or contributions to other Next Generation Access complaint solutions, and suitable ducting to all premises that can be accessed by broadband providers in the future, will be sought, which could enable greater access in the future.

For more information, please visit Braintree District Council’s Local Plan here.