Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Bill

Key Points

• Amends Schedule 3A to the Communications Act 2003 to regulate telecoms infrastructure on leasehold property.
• Seeks to simplify and speed up access for telecoms operators to install, maintain and upgrade equipment in leasehold blocks.
• Aims to balance leaseholders’ and landlords’ rights by clarifying terms of access and related obligations.
• Involves Lords amendments and the Commons’ response to them; two amendments proposed in 2020 were defeated in the Commons.
• Part of broader efforts to improve telecoms infrastructure and coverage by enabling easier deployment of networks on residential buildings.

Progress

The bill is at the 2nd Reading in the Commons. It previously progressed through early stages and faced amendments at Report Stage in 2020 (both amendments defeated) and Lords amendments in 2021 (Commons chose to disagree with Lords Amendment 3).

Voting

In three key Commons votes, the motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 3 passed (365 Aye to 264 No). The two proposed amendments at Report Stage were rejected (Amendment 1: 282 Aye, 306 No; Amendment 2: 242 Aye, 343 No). Votes described as mixed across parties, with no single party fully unified on every point.