Lords concludes detailed check of Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill

The Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill aims to create a new regulatory scheme to make consumer connectable products ('smart' products) more secure against cyber attacks. It also seeks to accelerate the deployment and expansion of mobile, full fibre and gigabit capable networks across the UK.

Line by line examination

Committee stage is the first chance for line by line examination of the bill.

Wednesday 29 June

Proposed changes

Members speaking on day two of committee stage put forward changes (amendments) on subjects including:

• rights to upgrade and share telegraph poles
• a requirment of telecomms operators to notify emergency services of upgrade works
• an implementation review of the Act after it is brought into force.

Catch up

• Read the text of proposed changes
• Catch up on Parliament TV (part one and part two)
• Read the transcript in Lords Hansard (part one and part two)

Explore further information

Read background on the bill in the Lords Library Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill briefing.

Next steps 

Report stage, an opportunity to closely scrutinise elements of the bill and make changes, is yet to be scheduled.

What's happened so far?

Committee stage day one: Tuesday 21 June

Proposed changes

Members speaking at committee stage put forward changes (amendments) on subjects including:

• consumer connectable products meeting cyber security, privacy and safety minimum standards
• the safety and security of children
• bringing the online marketplace within scope of security standards.

Catch up

• Read the text of proposed changes
• Catch up on Parliament TV (part one and part two)
• Read the transcript in Lords Hansard (part one and part two)

Second reading: Monday 6 June

Members discussed the main issues in the bill, flagging any concerns or specific areas where they think amendments (changes) are needed during second reading.  During the debate, members raised topics including:

• cyber threats and digital infrastructure targets
• harms caused by insecure smart home devices
• demand for faster broadband due to more devices being installed in homes
• delivering improved 4G coverage in rural areas and the rollout of 5G across the UK
• digital skills for young people to improve their cybersecurity
• Huawei goods and services.

Members speaking 

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Conservative), Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, opened the debate and responded on behalf of the government.

Members speaking included:

• Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat), Liberal Democrat spokesperson for digital
• Earl of Devon (Crossbench), Devon Committee member, Country Land and Business Association
• Baroness Merron, (Labour) opposition spokesperson for digital, culture, media and sport
• Lord Vaizey of Didcot (Conservative), former Minister for Culture and the Digital Economy.

Catch up

Find out more about the issues discussed: catch up on Parliament TV or read the Lords Hansard transcript.

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