Hundreds of thousands of kilometres of unused fibre across the UK could soon be put to better use, thanks to a new initiative led by the Independent Networks Co-operative Association (INCA) – the group that represents many of the UK’s smaller “alt-net” broadband providers.
The new venture, born out of INCA’s Infrastructure Sharing Group (ISG), will make it easier for smaller broadband companies to share access to their ducts, poles and spare fibre lines, helping reduce unnecessary digging, speed up fibre rollouts and cut costs.
In many towns, several broadband firms have been building their own full-fibre networks – often in the same streets. That means more roadworks, duplicate poles and extra cost, all because operators have no simple way to share what already exists.
BT’s Openreach already offers access to its ducts and poles through a regulated system called Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA), but that doesn’t always cover every area. Smaller providers have long said they need a complementary system for locations where PIA doesn’t apply.
The new Infrastructure Sharing Framework will allow independent broadband companies to make their unused infrastructure available to other networks, mobile operators and data centres. It standardises how these agreements work – including the legal, commercial and technical terms – and helps match asset owners with those seeking access.
Guy Miller, CEO of MS3 Networks and Chair of INCA’s ISG, said the move will help the entire sector make better use of what already exists:
“We’re ready to share our infrastructure and maximise the assets we own for the benefit of our sector, the mobile industry and data centres. This framework helps everyone get a better return on investment and reduces disruption from duplicated poles and ducts.”
Less disruption – fewer duplicate poles and roadworks
Lower costs – networks can expand faster without digging new trenches
Greener and faster rollouts – by using existing fibre capacity
More competition – helping smaller providers reach new areas
It’s estimated that there’s currently around 500,000 km of spare fibre capacity sitting unused across the UK. By unlocking it, alt-nets could save millions and even tap into the £100 million mobile backhaul market – supplying fibre links that connect mobile masts.
Asset owners and seekers can now register for free through INCA to access the system, which includes mapping tools (via AssetHub) to show where fibre assets are located.
While INCA hasn’t yet listed which alt-nets are involved, the move is being welcomed as a positive step toward smarter, less wasteful fibre deployment across the country.
