SSE Warn Openreach’s Filter Connect is “inadequate alternative” to Dark Fibre

The Chief Network Architect for SSE Enterprise Telecoms, Conrad Mallon, has claimed that Openreach’s new OSA Filter Connect (virtual dark fibre) product is an “inadequate alternative” to Ofcom’s push for the Dark Fibre Access (DFA) solution that was cancelled following BT’s legal challenge.

Openreach were originally due to launch the proposed DFA product in October, which would have allowed UK ISPs to gain “physical access” to the operator’s existing fibre optic cables (i.e. enabling them to install their own equipment at either end of the fibre within cable ducts). But this was cancelled after BT won a legal challenge against the incorrect market definitions that Ofcom had adopted in their 2016 business connectivity review (here).

Ofcom is currently still considering how to react and in the meantime Openreach has thrown a spanner into the works by unveiling their new Optical Spectrum Access (OSA) product for ISPs called Filter Connect (here), which is a kind of virtual or grey dark fibre style alternative product. Openreach view this as being both a competitively priced and flexible solution.

Openreach also claimed that the new OSA FSP3000 service was given a positive reception by at least some operators, although one of those that had hoped to be using the original DFA solution (SSE Enterprise Telecoms) appears to disagree.

Conrad Mallon, SSE’s Chief Network Architect, told ISPreview.co.uk:

“The Openreach announcement promoting an alternative to full Dark Fibre Access (DFA) does not address the industry’s concern. Following Ofcom’s ruling in 2016 that providers should be able to gain physical access to Openreach’s existing fibre optic cables, and the subsequent Competition Appeals Tribunal ruling, Openreach had promised to provide a solution that meets the needs of the market.

However, the result of that promise – Optical Spectrum Access ‘Filter Connect’ – is a patchwork alternative that meets neither the needs of customers, nor the need to increase competition to open up the telecoms access market in the United Kingdom.

We believe the DFA ruling will go ahead, and needs to go ahead, because ultimately it offers a solution to the connectivity challenges being faced by UK businesses. If this means that Ofcom needs to address some of the issues raised by BT/Openreach at the recent hearing, then this should be completed promptly and robustly to ensure the outcome serves the market, by offering choice, value and scale for customers.

In the meantime, SSE Enterprise Telecoms continues to pursue innovative, alternative means of meeting the connectivity needs of customers.”

Openreach are currently consulting on the new service until 18th November and if all goes well then they hope to publish a final outcome by the end of December 2017, which could result in the product being launched during Q1 2018/19. Sadly SSE did not provide any examples of where the new service is deemed to be “inadequate” vs DFA, but we have asked.