SICOM Looks to Expand UK Dark Fibre Network for Businesses
Knaresborough-based network operator SICOM, which often works in partnership with local authorities, private enterprises, national carriers, has revealed that they’re looking to expand their open access Dark Fibre network, which is currently primarily located in several major cities across England, Scotland and Wales.
The plan was revealed as part of their applications for Code Powers from Ofcom, which are typically sought to help speed-up deployments of new fibre and cut costs, not least by reducing the number of licences needed for street works. The powers can also help with supporting access to run new fibre via Openreach’s (BT) existing cable ducts and poles (PIA).
Sadly, the application doesn’t say how far and wide SICOM are intending to expand, which leads us to suspect that this may be more about cutting their costs and operating more efficiently within their existing plans for future network expansion.
Advertisement
Mark is a professional technology writer, IT consultant and computer engineer from Dorset (England), he also founded ISPreview in 1999 and enjoys analysing the latest telecoms and broadband developments. Find me on X (Twitter), Mastodon, Facebook, BlueSky, Threads.net and Linkedin.
« Cornwall UK ISP Wildanet Pilot Carbon Saving FTTP Broadband Build Process
In fact Mark, SICOM require Code Powers to ensure that we can repair damage or faults quickly and get our customers’ networks back up and running. Code Powers also gives us free access to other utilities’ network maps to ensure that we don’t damage them when we are excavating in the public footway or highway to install new ducts or cabinets, or to clear blockages in Openreach ducts.
We can do all this work without Code Powers but it would be slower and yes, more expensive.
We will continue building bespoke networks that meet our customers’ needs, linking premises across towns and cities. Dark fibre provides the the lowest Total Cost of Ownership over the medium to long term as well as the ultimate flexibility to run whatever bandwidth the customer needs. Multiple fibres enable networks to be separated and security to be simplified.