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Fibre rivals to get access to BT's ducts

By Barry Collins

Posted on 8 Feb 2010 at 10:14

BT is preparing to let rival ISPs lay fibre in its underground ducts, removing one of the roadblocks to next-gen broadband.

At present, rivals who want to lay fibre are forced to go through the expensive process of digging up pavements or finding an alternative method of channelling fibre, such as through the sewer network.

The new proposals would see BT give rivals access to its nationwide network of underground ducts, potentially removing one of the biggest costs of a fibre deployment.

BT chief executive Ian Livingston, says the company has been considering the idea for some time, although the Tories recently suggested they might force BT to share its ducts if the company didn't move voluntarily. "We told Ofcom last year we're willing to provide open access to our ducts... and we are working with them on how to achieve it," he said.

Although it's unlikely to be the silver bullet to get fibre to every home, open access to all ducts, not just ours, might help BT and others extend coverage

"Although it's unlikely to be the silver bullet to get fibre to every home, open access to all ducts, not just ours, might help BT and others extend coverage and so we would like to see a future government support such a move."

Livingston's comments uphold BT's long-held assertion that it should be granted access to Virgin's fibre network, but a Virgin Media spokesman told PC Pro that the matter isn't currently open to discussion.

"Our priority is working on our own services," said a spokesman for Virgin Media. "There has been no regulatory mandate from Ofcom to open our ducts."

BT says that shouldn't make a difference. "Anyone putting fibre down a duct should be obliged to wholesale it," a company spokesman told PC Pro.

"BT's network was not inherited for free. Our shareholders bought the old network and have invested many billions over the 25 years since then in upgrading it. Only 10% or so of the old network remains and our £1.5 billion investment in fibre is obviously new".

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User comments

BT says that shouldn't make a difference. "Anyone putting fibre down a duct should be obliged to wholesale it,"

Why's that BT? Because it would be beneficial to you?

By a_byrne22 on 8 Feb 2010

Hmm

"Why's that BT? Because it would be beneficial to you?"

Very true, but it would massively benefit the consumer too.

Overall this is a good idea but i'm not sure how practical. What happens when ducting is broken by other cable contractors or becomes full of cable so there is no room left when BT need to install a new one, for you know, telephones.

By JStairmand on 8 Feb 2010

i think its fair enough that 30 years after privatisation BT wants a level playing field.

By smokinscots on 8 Feb 2010

..not just ours ...

Methinks BT wants access to Virgin's ducts as well.
As previously stated if lowers costs and increases competition then it has to be a step forward.

By milliganp on 8 Feb 2010

Risk averse

At first glance this seems like a positive step. I actually think BT is risk averse. If they invested in fibre themselves customers would follow. Their DNA is still rooted in a state monopoly.

The fibre network that was installed in the 80's and 90's was ahead of the game. Technology has caught up and there is the demand.

Installing fibre should be a no brainer for BT. Sadly they are stuck in the past

By kaneclem on 8 Feb 2010

BT once the pride of our great nation (Not Anymore)

Telecom (I refuse to call them British) want access alright! so they don't have to spend the money they make from us on something like PROVIDING THE MEANS TO DELIVER WHAT WE PAY FOR!!!

If Virgin do decide to allow them access so it can be "WHOLESALED" for the good of the nation, Do you honstly think any cost would not immediatly be shunted by an increase in line rental or call charges for them doing nothing?

Only this morning I opened a letter from BT promising me the world reduced by 44% for 3 months, which will increase to ONLY £33.00 a month for the next 18 months (£16.00 all in from other Isp's) AND they couldn't even tell me what broadband speed i'd get, which i know for a fact is 19mbps less than the 20 they said i could possibly get!!

Isn't it time they just got on with what they said they would and dig the trenches instead of trying to dig there way out of them?

By wes41880 on 9 Feb 2010

@ smokinscots

"i think its fair enough that 30 years after privatisation BT wants a level playing field."

level as long as it slopes in BT's favour?

By chapelgarth on 10 Feb 2010

BT not daft.

BT must have miles of duct full of copper (and aluminium) That could be virtually emptied if they could by-pass it with fibre in someone else's duct. Once the copper is pulled out they can flog duct space to everyone.

By teddypig1 on 11 Feb 2010

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