BTOpenreach Maps Out its UK Telegraph Pole Locations for ISPs

Alternative network providers that make use of BTOpenreach’s pricey Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA) solution, which allows ISPs to share the operators network infrastructure in order to deploy new services (e.g. faster broadband), can now access an up-to-date map of the overhead network (telegraph poles).

According to Openreach the new overhead network data report, which comes at an unspecified cost, will help related AltNet ISPs (i.e. the few that are actually using PIA) to “understand the location of Openreach Poles and whether they could be used as part of CPs network build plans as defined under the permissible use of PIA.”

The information could make it easier for some providers to deliver new ultrafast fibre optic broadband infrastructure. In the past some have complained that Openreach’s approach to PIA is too cumbersome, while others have preferred to install their own poles rather than use BT’s.

In any case such reports may be better suited to larger deployments, since smaller projects can usually develop a basic understanding of local infrastructure options by doing a simple on-foot engineering survey.