European Union: Submitted proposal for regulation on measures to reduce the cost of deploying gigabit electronic communications network (Gigabit Infrastructure Act) including permitting requirements

On 23 February 2023, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a "Regulation on measures to reduce the cost of deploying gigabit electronic communications networks (Gigabit Infrastructure Act)”, which aims to facilitate and stimulate the implementation of very high capacity networks by promoting the joint use of existing physical infrastructure and by enabling a more efficient deployment of new physical infrastructure so that the networks can be rolled out faster and at a lower cost. The Gigabit Infrastructure Act responds to the growing demand for faster, more reliable, data-intensive connectivity and would replace the Broadband Cost Reduction Directive (2014). The proposal will now be examined by the European Parliament and the Council.