Telecoms Minister, Sir Chris Bryant, recently published an open letter to the telecoms industry about pole deployment measures at a time when there is a public backlash against the installation of telegraph poles and when the incoming Labour Government is driving forward its predecessor’s broadband expansion agenda to meet ambitious gigabit coverage targets for 2025 and 2030.
In the letter, Sir Chris made it clear that while public concerns about the deployment of poles are acknowledged, he does not believe that removing permitted development rights – which reduces planning burden – for these poles is the right move. Instead, he wants to see the sharing of infrastructure to become the default during the nation-wide rollout of broadband.
This letter from Sir Chris comes as new research is released from Opensignal which counter argues the case for infrastructure sharing. This we believe provides an opportunity to reassess the role of poles and infrastructure sharing in broadband rollouts - the focus of this article.
The Push for Infrastructure Sharing: A Government Mandate
Infrastructure sharing of poles and ducts through initiatives such as Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA), enforced by Ofcom upon Openreach, has been a significant matter of discussion, debate, and regulation for many years, opening up the incumbent operator's network to alternative ISPs and altnets top help with the largely fibre driven 2025 and 2023 coverage targets.
The Reality of Pole-Based Deployments: Benefits and Backlash
Recently, however, both incumbent and (alternative network) altnet operators have faced public pushback regarding the installation of telegraph poles as part of their broadband expansion efforts:
East Yorkshire, residents were outraged when new poles were installed without prior notice, leading to complaints about the visual impact on their communities.
Similarly, in Stockport, Greater Manchester, installation of poles sparked controversy, with altnets defending their practices against accusations of being "telecom pole cowboys" by emphasising their commitment to legal and considerate deployment.
Meanwhile, in Bolton, local outcry led to the removal of a telecoms pole in Astley Bridge after concerns were raised about its placement on a green space, highlighting the delicate balance operators must strike between infrastructure rollout and community acceptance.
Long established altnets like Truespeed (for example) have previously demonstrated how cost-effective pole-based deployments can be and in speeding up broadband rollout, especially in rural parts of South West of England, where the cost of fibre rollout can be significant.
Meanwhile, altnet giants Netomnia and CityFibre have adopted mixed approaches. For example, Netomnia makes it no secret that it uses Openreach's PIA network to accelerate its broadband rollout, often stating it can build faster and cheaper than rivals, whereas CityFibre prefers to own its own ducts and fibre network with a smaller mix of PIA.
Navigating the Risks: Weather Vulnerability and Service Reliability
However, despite the many benefits of infrastructure sharing a recent Opensignal study indicates that countries with limited infrastructure sharing but targeted government subsidies for private investment often achieve better broadband reliability. This raises concerns about whether the UK's reliance on infrastructure sharing, particularly in rural areas, could compromise service quality and whether Sir Chris might be placing too much emphasis on this strategy.
Further complicating matters, the use of poles in rural, highland, and island areas—regions that are particularly exposed to extreme weather conditions—presents additional risks. In our experience, high winds, heavy rains, and storms, common in these areas, increase the likelihood of pole damage, leading to frequent service disruptions. This vulnerability could undermine the long-term reliability of broadband services, posing a dilemma for the government's strategy, which aims to balance cost-efficiency with high-quality service delivery to achieve its broadband coverage targets.
Alternative Strategies: Balancing Cost, Speed, and Resilience
Given these challenges, how can the UK reconcile the need for rapid and cost-effective broadband deployment through infrastructure sharing with the goal of providing reliable, high-quality service, particularly in rural, and very hard to reach (VHTR) and weather-exposed areas which is a focus for many authorities? Are there alternative or complementary strategies that could mitigate these risks while still achieving the government’s broadband rollout targets?
To address these challenges, the UK Government could consider a more nuanced strategy that leverages both infrastructure sharing and targeted investments, drawing on the experiences of different broadband providers.
Leveraging Utility Poles in Suitable Areas: Companies like Truespeed have shown that utility poles can be highly effective in accelerating broadband rollout and reducing costs, especially in less challenging environments. In the South West, Truespeed's use of preexisting energy utility poles has allowed them to rapidly extend their network at a lower cost than traditional ground laid fibre, demonstrating the benefits of this approach. However, this strategy should be carefully evaluated in more exposed rural areas, where the risks of weather-related damage are higher.
Netomnia and CityFibre’s Mixed Approach: Providers like Netomnia and CityFibre offer a model that balances infrastructure sharing with independent network development. Netomnia, for example, uses infrastructure sharing where it makes economic sense, particularly through Openreach’s Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA) for underground ducts, but also builds its own fibre network to maintain control over service quality. CityFibre similarly mixes its strategy by deploying its own fibre network in cities while utilizing shared infrastructure where feasible. This dual approach allows these companies to benefit from the cost savings of sharing while ensuring high service reliability in key areas.
Reinforcing Poles and Exploring Alternatives: In regions prone to extreme weather, where poles are vulnerable, reinforcing poles or shifting to underground fibre could improve reliability, albeit at a higher cost. Alternatively, exploring advanced wireless gigbit technologies leveraging TV Whitespace with advanced spectrum aggregation techniques could offer a resilient, weather-independent solution for providing high-speed broadband over long distances. This technology could be particularly effective in remote and VHTR areas, serving as a wireless backhaul that complements fibre networks and reduces the reliance on physical infrastructure that is susceptible to weather damage.
Hybrid Models and Targeted Subsidies: Combining these strategies could lead to a hybrid model where infrastructure sharing is used in more stable areas, while targeted government subsidies and investments are directed toward deploying more robust infrastructure or innovative wireless solutions in vulnerable and VHTR regions. This approach would mirror successful international models, as seen in the Opensignal study, where limited sharing is complemented by substantial public investment to ensure reliability.
Crafting a Balanced Path Forward
Sir Chris Bryant’s decision not to remove permitted development rights for telegraph poles reflects a pragmatic approach that recognises the importance of infrastructure sharing in achieving the UK’s broadband goals. However, the challenges highlighted by recent studies and the physical vulnerabilities of poles in certain areas suggest that a one-size-fits-all approach may not be sufficient. By adopting a flexible strategy that combines the benefits of infrastructure sharing with targeted investments and innovative technologies, the UK can meet its broadband targets while ensuring that all communities, regardless of location, receive dependable, high-quality internet service.
Intelligens Consulting is a telecoms, digital and technology management consultant. Whether you're an altnet looking to accelerate your broadband rollout, a local authority aiming to enhance digital inclusion, or an investor seeking to optimise your returns, we can help you navigate the commercial, policy, and technological hurdles. Why not set up a discovery call to see how our expert team can support you?
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