New builds in Stoke-on-Trent must have fibre internet installed

New developments and regeneration projects in Stoke-on-Trent will be required to include fibre connectivity as standard under a new policy.

The policy aims to enable high-speed internet connection in new builds and infrastructure influenced by Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

Cabinet members approved it at their meeting on Tuesday 6th October.

The authority has entered a 25-year partnership arrangement with a fibre provider, and the policy aims to future-proof new developments and regeneration projects in the city.

What the policy covers

A report to the cabinet proposed that all new developments, regeneration projects and physical infrastructure procurements where the council has significant control will include a fibre infrastructure connection as standard.

They will also include equivalent industry connectivity, such as BT, Virgin Media and any other provider.

The report said this would future-proof them for public WiFi, smart city IoT devices and CCTV coverage.

It said early engagement with the council's network services fibre planning team at design stage would make sure the infrastructure is included in the project budget.

According to the report, developers will be able to use any suitable fibre network.

There will be no obligation to use the municipal network, although the council will set out the benefits of doing so.

Agreement from the council's chief executive will be needed for a project to be exempt from the policy.

Costs

The report said: 'The proposal does not create any immediate additional revenue budget commitments.'

However, it said fibre connectivity and associated network infrastructure would have to be included in the capital costs of all relevant projects.

These costs will need to be identified in individual project business cases and budgets at the design stage.

The report said early provision of fibre infrastructure is expected to cost less over its lifetime than retrofitting connectivity later, and would help avoid future capital expenditure on network installation.

It also said the council currently receives a subsidised connection fee from its fibre partner for its municipal network, which ensures each site has a stable and fast internet connection at a competitive price.

Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker said: "I have received plenty of correspondence from business owners in particular who cannot get access to the fibre network they need. It's not a nice to have, it's essential in this age of AI etc."

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