Five of the UK’s largest altnets have joined forces to push for fairer access to physical infrastructure operated by Openreach.
Initiated by nexfibre, the Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA) Coalition also comprises AllPoints Fibre, Community Fibre, Gigaclear, and newly-merged Netomnia and Brsk.
Together, the members represent more than 5 million premises ready for service, making the coalition one of the largest users of the PIA network. The Coalition has carried out a detailed economic analysis of Openreach PIA regulation, revealing an imbalance between Openreach and altnets, particularly in pricing, where alternative operators pay significantly more to access ducts and poles than Openreach charges itself.
The Coalition is calling for Ofcom – in its upcoming Telecoms Access Review – to act and ensure all users of PIA have a level playing field for access to infrastructure.
The group has warned that failure to act will harm competition and investment in the long-term, thus threatening the progress of fibre rollout to homes and businesses, and damaging the UK’s ability to compete internationally.
Ofcom regulates PIA products through a series of terms and conditions and pricing, and is responsible for looking out for the interests of all PIA users.Under Ofcom regulations, PIA access must be offered by Openreach in a way that does not discriminate against third party users. The PIA Coalition has identified evidence to suggest that this is not happening under the pricing structure.
Giles Rowbotham, spokesperson for the PIA Coalition, and general counsel and chief development officer at nexfibre, said, “At the moment there is not a level playing field between Openreach and alternative network operators on PIA. Alternative network operators pay significantly more to access infrastructure compared to Openreach. If left unremedied, this disparity risks choking investment, slowing down the rollout of high-speed broadband across the UK, and therefore limiting consumer choice.
“We’re calling on Ofcom to act in its upcoming market review to ensure a level playing field for all providers and fair and equal access to critical infrastructure. The Coalition has presented a detailed analysis to the regulator and to Openreach and we look forward to engaging collaboratively and constructively on this issue.”
Brett Shepherd, CEO at LightSpeed, said, "We awelcome the Physical Infrastructure Access Coalition and the recent study by SPC Network.
“As users of the Openreach network that helps facilitate our UK roll-out, we are all too aware that significant remedial and rectification work is needed to bring the network’s infrastructure up to a standard that can be accessed by all altnets. The UK is making good progress towards a full rollout, but there must not be undue excessive cost to the altnets themselves, which could ultimately result in slowing down the roll-out and incur needless cost in terms of excessive investment.
“In addition to the very pertinent points made by the PIA Coalition, LightSpeed and others are contributing similar views through our industry body INCA’s submission to Ofcom’s Telecoms Access Review process. Ultimately, Ofcom must ensure equal opportunity for altnets – alongside larger providers – for economical access to Openreach’s infrastructure. Without it there’s the potential to harm the long-term investment required for an open, successful and competitive landscape for broadband in the UK.”
Ofcom’s Telecoms Access Review will assess the fixed telecoms market, the challenges it faces and set-out regulatory frameworks between 2026 and 31.