Telecommunications Poles Best Practice Recommendations

17 March 2025

The Telecommunications Poles Working Group was set up by the Internet Service Providers’

Association (ISPA) and the Independent Networks Cooperative Association (INCA) upon request from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). The purpose of the group is to review the 2016 Cabinet and Pole Siting Code of Practice (“the Code”), share best practice across the industry, and engage with key stakeholders, including but not limited to Local Authorities and Ofcom, the communications regulator.

Ensuring widespread support for fibre rollout, including occasional use of new poles, is critical to the success of the programme. Through the engagement process undertaken in developing this guidance, a number of best practice recommendations have been identified, and are recommended to be followed by all members of both associations (ISPA and INCA).

These recommendations flow from a commitment towards supporting local communities (the “Community Commitment”), and sit alongside mandatory legislation, including the Electronic Communications Code (conditions and restrictions) Regulations 2003 (as amended), Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2016 , and the Code of Practice.