The UK altnet sector has unveiled a new infrastructure sharing venture, which it states will complement Openreach’s Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA) framework.

According to the Independent Networks Co-operative Association (INCA), which represents several UK altnets, the infrastructure sharing venture will "boost revenues of independent broadband network providers, including a slice of the huge mobile and data center markets."

An altnet, shortened for alternative network provider, is an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that builds and maintains its own fiber infrastructure rather than using an incumbent network such as Openreach. Many altnets, however, rely on certain Openreach infrastructure, such as ducts and poles, in various locations.

The group is made up of 20 altnets within the INCA, which aims to support the use of 500,000km of spare fiber capacity across the UK.

As part of the venture, an industry framework has been developed to allow asset owners in the independent broadband market to commercialize the ducts, poles, and dark fiber that they own by establishing a common means of sharing their infrastructure with others in the altnet sector, plus mobile operators, data centers, tier one carriers, and hyperscalers.

The venture seeks to reduce duplication of infrastructure deployment, amid concerns that new poles and ducts have had to be independently installed where sharing existing infrastructure had not been possible.

“We’re ready to share our infrastructure and maximize the assets we own for the benefit of our sector as well as the mobile industry and data centers who will now have access to the assets we’ve invested in to deliver gigabit capable broadband across the UK," said Guy Miller, chief executive of altnet, MS3 Networks, and chair of INCA’s infrastructure sharing group.

“Pivotal to making this happen has been the establishment of an Infrastructure Sharing Framework that has put in place a common standard product definition, set of terms and conditions, and commercial and legal documents to support this new marketplace."

Miller adds that the venture aims to assist asset owners in tapping into the best ROI on their infrastructure.

On top of this, he adds that the group has the potential to significantly reduce the disruption that comes from the duplication of telegraph poles and ducts.

"It has been estimated that there is currently some half a million kilometers of spare fiber capacity that has not previously been easily identified. This will save Altnets money, accelerate fiber deployment across the UK, and potentially reduce further need for completely new ducts and poles," adds Miller.

INCA noted that asset owners and seekers can register with INCA for free to join the new venture. It said this includes access to the standards and the full range of documents that support third-party use of existing assets. Users will also have access to maps that show the location of assets.