Five of the UK’s largest alternative fibre network operators have formed the Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA) Coalition to advocate for fairer access to physical infrastructure operated by Openreach. The coalition, initiated by Nexfibre and including AllPoints Fibre, Community Fibre, Gigaclear, and the newly merged Netomnia and Brsk, represents over 5 million premises ready for service. The Coalition will call on Ofcom to ensure a level playing field for access to Openreach's passive infrastructure in its upcoming Telecoms Access Review (TAR).
Also Read: Nexfibre Reaches Nearly 1.3 Million Premises Passed and Ready for Service in UK
Pricing Disparity Revealed
The coalition said a detailed analysis of Openreach PIA regulation, conducted by SPC Network, reveals a pricing disparity where alternative operators pay significantly more for access to ducts and poles compared to Openreach's own charges. The group is urging Ofcom to address this issue in its upcoming Telecoms Access Review to ensure a level playing field.
Potential Impact on Competition
The group warns that failure to act will harm competition and investment in the long term, threatening the progress of fibre rollout to homes and businesses and damaging the UK's ability to compete internationally.
"At the moment, there is not a level playing field between Openreach and alternative network operators on PIA. Alternative network operators pay significantly more to access infrastructure compared to Openreach," said Giles Rowbotham, spokesperson for the PIA Coalition and General Counsel and Chief Development Officer at Nexfibre, in a press release.
Calls to Ofcom
"If left unremedied, this disparity risks choking investment, slowing down the rollout of high-speed broadband across the UK, and limiting consumer choice. We're calling on Ofcom to act in its upcoming market review to ensure a level playing field for all providers and fair and equal access to critical infrastructure," he continued.
Also Read: Nexfibre Report Highlights Fragile Progress in UK Fibre Market, Calls for Regulatory Action
Ofcom's Telecoms Access Review
Ofcom’s upcoming Telecoms Access Review will assess the fixed telecoms market, the challenges it faces, and set out regulatory frameworks for 2026-31. The coalition hopes this review will address the pricing issues, ensuring fair competition and continued investment in the UK's fibre networks. Without decisive action, policymakers risk losing the momentum the market has worked so hard to build, the group said in a statement on Friday.
