What is Part R? Understanding Approved Document R Building Regulations for Gigabit-Ready Infrastructure

Understanding Approved Document Part R Building Regulations: Requirements RA1 and RA2

Approved Document R Volume 2 provides guidance on how to comply with requirement RA1 and requirement RA2 of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations, which respectively deal with the installation of gigabit-ready physical infrastructure and a connection to a gigabit-capable public electronic communications network when new dwellings are erected. Building work must ensure that the building is equipped with high-speed electronic communications networks.

Julia Lopez, Minister of State, Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport commented: "Ensuring that all new build homes in England are built with gigabit-ready infrastructure and gigabit-capable connections will be a significant step towards delivering world-class digital infrastructure to the UK."

Developers must ensure new homes are installed with physical infrastructure for high-speed electronic communications (consisting of ductwork, ducts, chambers, cabling and network termination points) up to a network distribution point.

Additionally, developers must provide a gigabit-capable connection including a termination point for gigabit-capable public electronic communications and a common access point for high-speed electronic communications, subject to a £2,000 cost cap per dwelling. Certain buildings may be exempt if they are too remote to justify equipping the building with high-speed infrastructure, or in cases such as a hostel where compliance would be impractical.

Providing Evidence: Your Connectivity Plan

Once planned, developers should provide information demonstrating compliance with requirement RA1 to a building control body through full plans, a building notice, or an initial notice. A connectivity plan would assist the building control body if it contains evidence demonstrating the location of gigabit-ready physical infrastructure, including the network termination point and access point for high-speed electronic communications. This could take the form of schematic diagrams, maps and written evidence.

Where full fibre connections are not available, other means of providing point for gigabit-capable public electronic communications network connections – such as DOCSIS 3.1 or fixed wireless access technology – should be explored before pursuing the next fastest broadband internet connection.

High-Speed Fibre Network Installation

At Whitecode Consulting, we highly recommend the installation of a high-speed fibre network from reputable network operators such as Openreach, Hyperoptic, or Virgin Media. These providers can supply cabling and distribution equipment free of charge, with the chosen contractor responsible for installing containment and running cables. The network provider will then connect cabling within distribution points, ensuring the building is equipped with a common access point and point for high-speed electronic communications at the network termination point.

We can arrange all site works and deal with all planning and design works from initial application to project completion. Where an Openreach or equivalent network has not been proposed, Whitecode Consulting will ensure spare duct routes and adequate service void space are provided for future implementation, maintaining high-speed-ready infrastructure in accordance with requirement R1.

Wireless Options and Future-Proofing

Whitecode Consulting can advise on individual dwelling wireless equipment including routers, network switches and access points applicable to common areas. Our team has worked with Hyperoptic and Openreach who utilise off-site infrastructure on many schemes, securing higher data transmission speeds for end users. The majority of communications providers such as Openreach, Hyperoptic and Virgin Media provide routers suitable for gigabit transmission speeds.

The purpose of Part R requirements is to future-proof buildings for the fastest broadband speeds possible. Because requirements are technologically neutral, developers will install the most appropriate gigabit-capable infrastructure for individual developments. Where a gigabit-capable connection is not being installed, developers should work with network operators to provide the next fastest connection without exceeding the £2,000 cost cap.

Our Utilities Consulting team can arrange all site works from the supplier through our stats department and will deal with all planning and design works for the network from initial application to project completion.

Cost Cap and Network Provider Support

Openreach, Hyperoptic and Virgin Media provide cabling and equipment free of charge so there is not usually an issue with the associated cost cap being exceeded. The costs are covered by the providers themselves, adding no extra cost to developers.

In support of the government's gigabit-ready infrastructure plan, these network providers have ambitious plans in place. Virgin Media completed its entire national network upgrade to gigabit speeds in 2021, delivering nearly two-thirds of the Government's broadband ambition four years ahead of target. In 2022, Hyperoptic hit its target of connecting over 100,000 new build homes to its full fibre network. Openreach aims to deliver Ultrafast full Fibre Broadband to 25 million homes and businesses by December 2026.

Supporting Your Building Regulations Compliance

Whitecode Consulting highly recommends the installation of a high-speed fibre network from Openreach, Hyperoptic, Virgin Media or similar operators. These providers offer developer self-install options and supply equipment free of charge, with the chosen contractor responsible for installing containment and running cables.

We can arrange all site works from the supplier through our stats department and will deal with all planning and design works for the network from initial application to project completion.

Contact our team to discuss how we can support your gigabit-ready infrastructure requirements from planning through to completion.