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Spectrum Comms Solutions, which specialises in building telecoms infrastructure and fibre optic broadband / Ethernet networks (both for themselves and for other providers), has revealed that they’re looking to maintain and expand their passive network (inc. Dark Fibre) in places such as Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, Birmingham, London Docklands and other UK regions where “data centre clusters require secure interconnection“.
The plan was revealed as part of the company’s application for Code Powers from Ofcom, which are typically sought in order to help speed-up deployments of new fibre networks and cut costs, not least by reducing the number of licences needed for street works. The powers can also help with supporting access to run new fibre via Openreach’s (BT) existing cable ducts and poles (PIA), which is something that Spectrum Comms plans to do.
Just to be clear. Spectrum Comms does have their own network activities, but they’re more of a civil engineering firm that builds networks for their partners in the UK, as opposed to being an alternative network (altnet). The new application is thus arguably more about making such build activity more efficient in order to support data centre clients, including edge computing, AI, 5G, Internet of Things, and cloud growth.
“The Applicant’s proposed network and system of infrastructure would consist of both active/lit electronic communications services and passive infrastructure services respectively. This includes high-capacity bandwidth, DWDM and wavelength-based services, together with dark fibre, duct, chambers, sub-duct, fibre routes and associated passive telecommunications infrastructure,” explained Ofcom.