Ofcom wants to open up BT's ducts and poles

A new promise to broadband providers was made by Ofcom on Tuesday, saying they will be able to build ultrafast, full fibre networks more cheaply and easily than they can now, still using infrastructure owned by BT.

The regulator outlined a strategy in July to promote the large-scale rollout of ultrafast broadband using fibre and coaxial cables directly to customer properties.

Most ‘fibre’ broadband on the market today only uses fibre technology to the nearest roadside cabinet, with the aging copper telephone network carrying the signal the rest of the way, limiting the speed and reliability of connections.

Ofcom said it plans to make it quicker and easier for rival providers to build their own fibre networks direct to homes and offices using BT’s existing telegraph poles and ‘ducts’ – the small, underground tunnels that carry telecoms cables.

It said this would give BT’s competitors flexibility to innovate as technology evolves, and respond to changes in their customers’ needs.

“Fibre is the future for broadband, and Ofcom is helping to deliver that through competition between networks,” said Ofcom competition policy director Yih-Choung Teh.

“Today we’re explaining how access to BT’s tunnels and poles could be improved, allowing other providers to connect ultrafast, fibre broadband directly to UK homes and offices.

“Our plans will give providers increased confidence to invest in their own full-fibre networks at reduced cost.”

Other countries have seen duct and pole access used to extend fibre to people’s doorsteps.

In Spain and Portugal, the resulting competition has helped deliver full-fibre broadband coverage of 79% and 70% respectively, compared to around 2% currently in the UK.

The regulator said it was now consulting on how to best deliver these plans.