Openreach Deploys Ultrafast FTTP Broadband Over Existing Copper Network

Network provider Openreach (BT) appears to have completed the pilot of a new process option for Fibre-to-the-Premise (FTTP) “ultrafast broadband” networks, which enables them to run optical fibre cables over their existing copper cable network / ducts at housing developments.

The use of existing infrastructure to run fibre optic cables into individual properties, such as via copper cable ducts and joint boxes, has been done before and the new technique probably isn’t going to work everywhere (e.g. sometimes there just isn’t the space or access for it). Special fibroscopic cameras have to be used first in order to check the underground ducts and remove blockages.

However, where it works then Openreach can save time (i.e. it reduces the need for engineers to blow fibre through underground ducts and to splice individual fibres together) and money by avoiding the need to dig up footpaths or driveways, while also using the latest ‘Plug and Play‘ cable connectors (connectorised).

Apparently the first to benefit are 230 houses on the Bracklenleigh estate near Carlisle (Cumbria), with another 70 new build homes on the estate also benefiting as a result of Openreach’s free FTTP deal with property developers, which applies to all new housing developments with 30+ homes. Over 55 households on the estate have already signed up to the “ultrafast broadband” service.

Matthew Hemmings, Openreach’s Regional Director for the North, said:

“I’m delighted to see customers in Brackenleigh already benefitting from this initiative, some of whom have struggled with lower than average speeds in the past.

We’re investing heavily in ultrafast broadband because we’re committed to giving Britain a first class network, capable of delivering the very latest communication services for households and businesses. By using new techniques we recently halved the cost of delivering ‘full fibre’ infrastructure, which has helped make initiatives like this one in Brackenleigh possible.”

A number of similar deployments are now being planned for locations in London, Essex, Cheshire, Devon, Warwickshire and Shropshire. All of this will no doubt help Openreach to reach their current FTTP goal of 2 million premises passed by 2020, which mostly consists of new build developments and business parks / estates.

UPDATE 15th Sept:

Openreach has clarified that the main difference here is they’re using small teams of apprentices who are being trained up to deal with FTTP installation end-to-end. The new teams are effectively able to do everything, which means that the operator doesn’t have to bring other teams in to do parts of the installation. This was how they managed to complete this job so quickly.

It would have been nice if the press release had made this clearer, instead of conflating several related aspects together.