CNI Boosts Broadband Infrastructure Sharing with AssetHub

The Cooperative Network Infrastructure scheme in Tameside, Blackpool, Manchester and Sussex (England), which helps to enable the commercial re-use of existing local authority owned cable ducts and fibre to aid the roll-out of gigabit-capable broadband, has made it easier to share related assets (fibre, street furniture etc.) via a new partnership with AssetHUB.

Asset reuse specialist AssetHUB states that this means its platform, which acts a bit like an open access “‘shop window’ of digital assets“, can now be used by all of CNI’s 50 members (e.g. Virgin Media, Zayo, CityFibre, ITS Technology, F&W Networks and others) to manage incoming enquiries regarding their fibre and other infrastructure assets.

Both organisations have also been jointly working with the Independent Network Cooperative Association (INCA) to encourage alternative networks to share physical infrastructure, such as in locations where Openreach’s own cable ducts and poles might not be available. A related trial is directly available for all INCA members in the Infrastructure Sharing Group (ISG) for pole, duct and cabinet space sharing.

CNI Chair, Tony Doyle, said:

“Sharing infrastructure is critical, otherwise Altnets will have to lay more fibre or add new poles, resulting in more customer disruption, wasted investment, unnecessary carbon emissions and expenditure. AssetHUB is providing a marketplace platform for CNI to share assets between members more easily, while also serving as a mechanism to attract more members and encourage the sharing of more assets.”

The partnership underscores our continued dedication in bridging the gap between operators and public sector organisations and helping provide communities across the UK with full-fibre connectivity,” Doyle continued.