A  September report, Need for Speed conducted jointly by Ericsson, Arthur D. Little and Chalmers University of Technology in 33 OECD countries, quantified the isolated impact of broadband speed, showing that doubling the broadband speed for an economy increases GDP by 0.3%.

A 0.3% GDP growth in the OECD region is equivalent to $26bn and corresponds to more than one seventh of the average annual OECD growth rate in the last decade.The study also showed additional doublings of speed can yield growth in excess of 0.3% (eg. quadrupling of speed equals 0.6% GDP growth stimulus)

Both broadband availability and speed are strong drivers in an economy. Last year Ericsson and Arthur D. Little concluded that for every 10% increase in broadband penetration GDP increases by 1%.

Accordingly the Relaxing restrictions on overhead telecoms lines consultation is open for comment.
Currently, the Electronic Communications Code (Conditions and Restrictions) Regulations 2003, state that all new telecoms lines have to be buried underground, except where lines already exist, or if there is no viable alternative. 

This is the only restriction that stops communications providers from deploying this type of overhead infrastructure, which under planning guidance is allowed under Permitted Development rights, as telegraph poles are less than 15 metres high.

Relaxing this regulation, with appropriate restrictions, will give communications providers a great deal more flexibility when deploying superfast broadband networks and allow greater deployment than otherwise would be possible.

It should be noted that the requirement for communications providers to apply to their local planning authority to determine whether prior approval is needed for the siting and appearance of any new overhead lines will be unaffected by the proposed amendment to the Code.

Up to 80% of the cost of deployment is in the civil works. In order to relieve this pressure, we will be relaxing the restrictions on the deployment of overhead telecoms lines. The principle has previously been consulted on, and this  consultation sets out how we intend to implement this.

The consultation proposes that new overhead infrastructure can only be erected if existing infrastructure cannot be shared (such as BT’s network of poles and ducts, or the local electricity distribution network), and then only in consultation with communities and neighbourhood groups, such as parish councils.

The consultation by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport Consultation: Relaxing restrictions on the deployment of overhead telecommunications lines proposes to compel communications providers who want to deploy new overhead infrastructure to carry out full consultation as part of the notification process.

Consultation closing date: 21 February 2012 . comments or to: 
pete.mcdougall@culture.gsi.gov.uk or Peter McDougall
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
2-4 Cockspur Street
London SW1Y 5DH