UK altnets expand fiber footprint by 50% in 2019: INCA and Point Topic

April 13, 2020

Such service providers now pass 1.2 million premises, according to "Metrics for the UK Independent Network Sector."

The Independent Networks Co-operative Association (INCA), a co-operative trade association for UK alternative network (altnet) providers, has released a new report in collaboration with market research and analysis firm Point Topic that states altnets expanded their fiber networks by 50% in 2019. Such service providers now pass 1.2 million premises, according to Metrics for the UK Independent Network Sector. Independent full-fiber connection providers now have 366,000 live connections, as well, up 23% since last year.

“The substantial increase from last year is very promising,” said Malcolm Corbett, CEO at INCA. “These impressive results are reflected in the scale of investment in the UK’s digital infrastructure. We calculate that a commitment of £6.6 billion [$7.58 billion] has been announced for the independent operators. Coronavirus has demonstrated clearly the reliance we all have on connectivity. We look forward to seeing Government continuing to prioritize renewal of the UK’s digital infrastructure, both fixed-line and wireless.”

INCA believes premises passed by altnets will increase to 2.4 million this year, despite the impact of the coronavirus. Several of the hurdles reported by INCA members last year appear to have been lowered. For example, planning and street work delays and/or costs, which was last year’s top issue, has moved down the list, says INCA.

Companies in the report are primarily using all-fiber approaches, such as fiber to the home (FTTH) and fiber to the building (FTTB) to reach subscribers. Meanwhile, fixed wireless networks could connect up to 2.3 million premises, although INCA said such coverage potential “is more challenging to assess accurately.” Connections to WISPs remained flat at around 110,000 in 2019, according to the report.

“The independent network operator sector has seen some fantastic growth from last year,” commented Annelise Berendt, principal associate at Point Topic. “It is clear from the report that independent operators are playing a significant role in helping the UK Government reach their full-fiber targets.”

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About the Author

Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave

Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.

Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.

He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.

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