It seems that no one is into BTOpenreach’s Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA) product as no firm has commercially signed up for the product yet, although some ISPs such as Sky and Fujitsu had a few trials done in North West England.
As a quick reminder, the PIA product gives rivalling broadband providers access to BT’s underground cable ducts and poles in order to provide fibre optic internet services of their own.
The scheme was heavily criticised by the industry insiders and deemed to be too expensive for broadband providers to invest in. Some said it would be cheaper for companies to commence digging works themselves.
Back in November, Liv Garfield, BT Openreach’s CEO issued a statement saying that firms (mainly Fujitsu) were rather positive about the product:
“…so I have been delighted by the positive feedback we’ve had from Fujitsu UK and others. Pole and duct access will enable CPs to deliver superfast broadband speeds in areas outside the existing planned commercial footprint, so we felt it was important to launch the products as soon as possible.”
Fujitsu reportedly said that it had plans to use the PIA product at some point, but underlined that it would only happen when BT set the product definitions in stone.
As a quick reminder, councils and local authorities have been very busy cooking up ways how to get their counties 90 per cent connected to superfast broadband with the remainder getting at least basic internet (2Mbps). The BDUK will help bring the councils’ visions to life by assisting with the funds and expecting match-funding.
