European Union: Council adopted regulation on measures to reduce the cost of deploying gigabit electronic communications network (Gigabit Infrastructure Act) including obligations regarding in-building physical infrastructure and fibre wiring

On 29 April 2024, the Council of the European Union adopted the regulation on measures to reduce the cost of deploying gigabit electronic communications networks (Gigabit Infrastructure Act). The Act aims to facilitate and support the implementation of very high-capacity networks by promoting the joint use of existing physical infrastructure and by enabling the deployment of new physical infrastructure to ensure that the networks can be rolled out faster and at a lower cost. The Act aims to ensure faster, more reliable, data-intensive connectivity and would replace the Broadband Cost Reduction Directive (2014). Furthermore, the Act includes a mandatory conciliation mechanism between public sector bodies and telecom operators, exceptions to the provisions for smaller municipalities, promotions for connectivity in rural and remote areas, and conditions for fair and reasonable network access. The Act will enter into force 3 days following its publication in the EU’s Official Journal and be implemented after 18 months of its entry into force.