Govt may open up sewers to fibre broadband

The Government is considering opening up 600,000 miles of underground sewage, gas, electricity and water networks to broadband companies, in a bid to speed up the availability of gigabit (1Gbps) connections.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) has announced a call for evidence, which will allow interested parties to state their views.

It’s been estimated that reusing existing infrastructure would save broadband companies £8bn because they wouldn’t have to dig ducts – small underground tunnels – to lay cables.

Digital Minister Matt Warman said: “It makes both economic and common sense for firms rolling out gigabit broadband to make use of the infrastructure that already exists across the country”.

“This will help them avoid the high costs and disruption of having to dig or build their own and ultimately benefit consumers,” he added.

The plans would support the Government’s £5bn investment in delivering “gigabit-capable” broadband to every UK home by the end of 2025.

However, many of the sewage and water tunnels are old, small and unstable, and so won’t be able to withstand the type of work needed to lay cables.

The call for evidence, which ends in September, also suggests companies may be able to use infrastructure owned by other telecoms companies, such as Openreach. This includes utility ducts, poles, masts, pipes, inspection chambers, manholes, cabinets, and antennas.