Original article ISPreview UK:Read More
Openreach has announced that rivals looking to run new fibre optic broadband lines via their existing UK cable ducts and poles (i.e. Physical Infrastructure Access) will shortly be able to benefit from a new Underground (UG) process. This is aimed at managing retrospective UG self provide (SPO) Network Adjustment (NA) orders.
The Network Adjustment process, which is part of PIA, usually reflects situations where Openreach are required to make their network useable (e.g. repairing / clearing out duct blockages or decluttering poles to relieve congestion) in specific permitted circumstances. But sometimes rivals can also do some of this work themselves (self provide).
The new Underground focused PIA process, which has been in trial for a while following an industry request and is now due to become officially available from 1st October 2025 (system development will be live from 22nd September), allows their customers (e.g. alternative networks) to submit underground network adjustments AFTER blockages are cleared. The goal is greater efficiency through less transactional processes.
The Proof of Concept (PoC) test for this has already been running for a year, with over 22,000 Network Adjustment orders submitted (equating to 75% of Openreach’s PIA volumes). Openreach told ISPreview that this has helped to drive improved order quality, improved Whereabouts compliance, and seen c.91% of orders closed with payment to the communications provider.
“This collaborative approach has been a real success, and we’re delighted it’s been shortlisted for the Connected Britain ‘Barrier Buster’ award,” said a spokesperson for Openreach. A related, albeit quite vague, briefing on this can be found here.