BUUK Group PIA Network Build
We were contacted by Optical Fibre Networks Ltd (OFNL) to tender for a project enabling Openreach exchanges to outside connection points (OSCP) at multiple locations across the United Kingdom East Midlands, West Midlands, Staffordshire, Cheshire, North Yorkshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire. On initial discussions they wanted to blow 12 fibre bundle of fibre through a 12-way blown fibre tubing (BFT) system but were experiencing lots of issues.
After many discussions TNS proposed a new solution, instead of using blown fibre tubing (BFT) system that had failed so many times was to install a 14/10mm sub duct allowing them to blow 12, 24, 48, 96 & 144 micro cable solution, this provided a remedy for the previous solution and more cost-effective way of deployment. The main fibre type was chosen as a 48 core single mode fibre that would have access back to the Openreach exchanges from designated OSCP cabinets allowing new housing build sites to be connected to the Sky network.
Site backhaul connections could be anything from 1.5km through to 16km that would require, surveying, test, rodding and roping, sub duct installation, blockage clearance, desilting, and gully sucking along with fibre jointing and testing. The task also included working with local authorities for street works permits for cabling, blockages, desilts and traffic management.
The project was a huge success enabling the client to connect new house builds sites be connected as part of Sky fibre broadband and enabling fibre backhaul services throughout the regions we were tasked with. Over 276 schemes were completed by TNS that was responsible for all aspects of the installation and testing of the fibre backhaul networks, these included blockage clearance in public footways and highways working with the local authorities to grant works to take place in accordance with New Roads & Street Works Act (NRSWA) ensuring excavations and reinstatement was carried out correctly in accordance to HAUC & SROH specifications and Openreach specifications.
This project has been ongoing for the past three years and continues as Altnets continue to use the Openreach PIA network. TNS are highly experienced in PIA network deployments and many Altnets ask our advice and use our services for their network deployments as we have the experience of being a full turnkey provider from design and planning through to testing and commissioning of the network ready for service and go live dates.