European Union: Gigabit Infrastructure Act including measures on public procurement access entered into force with grace period

On 2 May 2024, the Gigabit Infrastructure Act, including in-building physical infrastructure requirements, entered into force. 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.