Pulse Fibre welcomes Scottish broadband law for new homes

Pulse Fibre has welcomed the Scottish Government’s recent legislation requiring all new homes to be gigabit broadband-ready, calling it “a vital step forward” in ensuring homes are equipped for the demands of modern living.

As of January 1st, 2025, new legislation in Scotland mandates developers to ensure that new homes have the infrastructure to support broadband speeds of 1 gigabit per second.

The obligation to provide gigabit-capable connections applies as long as the installation cost does not exceed £2,000 per dwelling.

“This requirement should have already been standard,” said Robert Buckingham, Operations Director from Pulse Fibre.

“When similar laws came into effect in England in December 2022, the opportunity to establish a nationwide standard was missed. However, this is an important step in ensuring that new homes across Scotland are prepared for the digital future.”

The rise of smart homes and technology-reliant lifestyles has highlighted the need for robust broadband infrastructure.

Pulse Fibre’s 10Gb full fibre complies with current regulations and futureproofs developments, ensuring they can support technological advancements for years to come.

The altnet provider acknowledges that developers and broadband providers may face challenges in implementing the new regulations, and installing high-speed infrastructure, especially in rural areas, can be costly and logistically complex.

Developers must also balance upfront investment costs with delivering future-proof broadband infrastructure and solutions.

To support developers, Pulse Fibre offers solutions like its Construction Mode, enabling developers to prepare smart homes with full broadband functionality before homeowners move in, alongside Day One Connectivity that means new homes are internet-ready from the day of occupation.

Pulse Fibre also emphasises that collaboration between developers and broadband providers is critical to achieving these standards effectively and ease financial barriers.

This includes early engagement, leveraging government incentives, efficient construction coordination, and embracing open network models that allow multiple service providers to operate on shared infrastructure.

However, Pulse Fibre is also advocating for further regulatory reforms to streamline gigabit broadband deployment, meaning improving open network access network models, where infrastructure is accessible to multiple service providers.

This approach fosters fair competition, encourages innovation, and leads to better services and pricing for consumers. By reducing the risk of anti-competitive practices, open-access models ensure a vibrant broadband ecosystem.

“Pulse Fibre is ready to partner with developers to meet these new standards, offering innovative and scalable broadband solutions that enhance connectivity while ensuring long-term adaptability,” Buckingham concluded.