Countryside Alliance support the commitments to the Electronic Communications Code

The Countryside Alliance was part of a roundtable, along with the Government, industry leaders and other stakeholders to address concerns around the new Electronic Communications Code. The industry has produced a joint statement, and has reaffirmed its commitments to the ECC and the Ofcom Code of Practice.

The Countryside Alliance is fully supportive of this and hopes this will help to ensure the delivery of the infrastructure necessary for full digital connectivity in the countryside. Please see below for the joint statement:

The reformed Electronic Communications Code (ECC) came into force in December 2017 with the aim of boosting coverage and connectivity across the UK, through a package of measures which Government expects to deliver significant cost reductions to the sector, while ensuring that landowners receive a fair payment for allowing their land to be used.

Since the new legislation was introduced, there have been problems with negotiations progressing. While some initial uncertainty is to be expected, Government, regulators, the telecoms sector, independent infrastructure providers and the landowner community, recognise the importance of all parties working collaboratively together, both during this transition period and moving forwards.

We are therefore coming together to reaffirm the commitments made to each other in Ofcom's Code of Practice, and to reiterate our support for the Government's ambition to be a leading global economy underpinned by world class full fibre network and 5G infrastructure. It is essential that parties engage professionally in open and constructive communications. The future needs of customers and the economy are too important for it to be otherwise.