Other proposals include prioritising funding to connect remote rural areas to full-fibre broadband.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) said the changes are needed to give the majority of the population access to 5G and meet its target of providing full-fibre broadband coverage across the UK by 2033.

Analysis indicates that, without change, full-fibre broadband networks would at best only ever reach 75% of the country, and would take more than 20 years to do so.

The government said the changes were vital for the UK to remain “globally competitive in a digital world”.

Other proposals include cutting the costs of rolling out fibre broadband, a full industry switchover from copper, and providing operators with a ‘right to entry’ to flats, business parks and office blocks to offer renters the chance to get the best deal.

DCMS Secretary of State, Jeremy Wright, said: “We want everyone in the UK to benefit from world-class connectivity no matter where they live, work or travel. This radical new blueprint for the future of telecommunications in this country will increase competition and investment in full-fibre broadband, create more commercial opportunities and make it easier and cheaper to roll out infrastructure for 5G.”