Technical consultation for standardisation of in-building physical infrastructure for VHCN under the Gigabit Infrastructure Act

The Gigabit Infrastructure Act (GIA) is a European Union regulation designed to accelerate the roll-out of very high-capacity telecommunications networks (VHCNs), such as fibre and 5G, by reducing the cost and administrative burden of deploying digital infrastructure. The GIA focuses on improving transparency, access, and coordination in civil works, promoting the reuse of existing physical infrastructure, and ensuring that new buildings and major renovations are “gigabit-ready” by default.

In relation to this final point, the GIA requires that all newly constructed buildings and buildings undergoing major renovations will be equipped with a fibre-ready in-building physical infrastructure and fibre wiring. To support this measure, Ireland, like other Member States, is required to establish relevant standards or technical specifications that shall allow operators to provide VHCN services.

In this context, the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport (DCCS) commissioned an expert report to support its proposals for these specifications. This report draws on research of current practices in Ireland and across Europe. This consultation presents the Department’s recommendation for these technical specifications, and invites submissions from interested parties.

We encourage interested parties to email their response to the following questions to GIA@ccs.gov.ie and include in the subject field “In-building physical infrastructure and fibre wiring - consultation” along with the individual or organisation’s name;

Question 1 – Do you agree with the recommendations regarding GIA Article 10(4) (a) – (g) for multi-dwelling units (MDUs) as set out in the WIK report (IBPI Report_WIK) supplied below? Please explain the basis for your response in full and provide supporting information.

Question 2 – Do you agree with the recommendations regarding GIA Article 10(4) (a) – (g) for single-dwelling units (SDUs) as set out in the WIK report? Please explain the basis for your response in full and provide supporting information.

Question 3 – Do you agree with the installation of a network termination unit (optional small wall box/cabinet, as described in the WIK report) in dwellings within MDUs and/or within SDUs? Please explain the basis for your response in full and provide supporting information.

Question 4 – Do you agree that for MDUs a separate dedicated room for the building access point should be considered? Do you consider that a particular threshold should apply (e.g., number of dwellings) and/or other criteria should be taken into account when potentially determining the need for a dedicated room (and its dimensioning)? Please explain the basis for your response in full and provide supporting information.

Question 5 – Do you agree the technical specifications for MDUs should be extended to cover requirements for the connection of mobile antennas, including ducting being provided to the rooftop of MDUs (see Section 4.4 of the WIK report)? Please explain the basis for your response in full and clearly identify any particular specifications and/or requirements you consider should be included, providing supporting information where possible.

Question 6 – Do you agree with the summary of the key matters that should be addressed in relation to the management and maintenance of in‑building physical infrastructure in MDUs, as set out in Section 4.1.9 of the WIK report? Please explain the basis for your response in full and clearly identify any additional matters you consider should be included, providing supporting information where possible.

Question 7 – Do you agree with the recommendations set out in Section 4.3 of the WIK report, on how compliance with agreed standards / technical specifications relating to GIA Article 10(4) (a) – (g) may be verified and enforced? Please explain the basis for your response in full and provide supporting information.

Question 8 – Are there any other observations in relation to this consultation topic or the WIK Report that you wish to provide feedback on? Please provide details and reasons for your answer.

This consultation closes at 5pm on 22 June 2026.

All responses to this consultation should be clearly marked:
“GIA In-building physical infrastructure and fibre wiring – Name of Respondent” and sent to GIA@ccs.gov.ie.

Any submissions received after this date shall not be considered.

All submissions and comments submitted to the Department for this purpose are subject to release under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2014 and the European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations 2007-2014. Submissions are also subject to Data Protection legislation.

Personal, confidential or commercially sensitive information should not be included in your submission and it will be presumed that all information contained in your submission is releasable under the Freedom of Information Act 2014.

Your feedback will be recorded, collated, analysed, and evaluated. Please note that the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport may publish a summary of the survey results and may also publish anonymised data from the responses received.

Please note that submissions received may be made available without personal information on the Department’s website and may be shared, unless otherwise requested. In any event, all submissions received will be subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act and Data Protection legislation.