The Government is consulting on whether to change the requirements of the Building Safety Regulator in relation to the installation of Fibre Optic Cables and mobile phone masts in Higher Risk Buildings.
The consultation closes on 24 March 2026.
This new consultation follows hot on the heels of a consultation published by the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology on 15 December 2025 about making it easier for broadband providers to instal broadband in leasehold blocks of flats. No mention was made in this initial consultation of the building safety risks associated with breaking through compartmentation to install broadband in Higher Risk Buildings. Such instalations would require Building Control Approval from the Building Safety Regulator.
It would appear the two Government Departments did not effectively collaborate on the initial consultation.
The new consultation seeks views on "dispensing with with Building Regulation requirements where the work involves drilling holes through interal fire-resisting walls for fibre optic cabling and work relating to reapir and installation of mobile communications masts."
These proposals make no sense when viewed against the rest of the Building Control regime which requires leaseholders, RTM and RMCs to seek Building Control Approval from BSR for any changes made to fire safety systems, such as changing a flat front door or a fire door.
Either the whole new Building Safety Regulation regime is disproportionate or it isnt.
Friends in High Places members who are Principle Accountable Persons (PAPs) will need to think carefully about whether allowing the installation of broadband in their building will compromise fire safety and how they will account for these changes to the Building Safety Regulator when they update their Building Safety Case Report as required by the legislation. PAPs will remain liable for ensuring the works comply with the Building Regulations 2010.