CityFibre: Gigabit Fibre Roll-Out

Overview:

CityFibre is the largest alternative provider of wholesale fibre network infrastructure and the UK’s biggest builder of Gigabit Cities. As of 2019, the company is on target to exceed 5 million homes. CityFibre engaged Entegro to survey, design and plan for new duct routes and street furniture required for delivering an FTTP. The new network would utilise Openreach’s Ducts and Poles (DPA) network where cost effective to do so. 

Challenge:

• To fully understand the client’s network architecture with associated build standards
• To gain an in-depth understanding and achieve accreditation to work on Openreach’s ‘Duct and Pole’ network and systems

Solution:

Entegro, in cooperation with the client, created an HLD (High Level Design) for the full end-to-end PON Design. We also gained access and accreditation to Openreach’s Duct and Pole network. This involved working in close cooperation with Openreach, using their Duct and Pole Access product to minimise the cost of new infrastructure. The network was designed using a combination of new construction and Openreach’s ducts and poles for direct FTTP distribution.

Prior to design, a survey was undertaken to assess whether the Openreach systems accurately reflected the ‘as-built’ infrastructure and ensure that capacity was available to proceed. The LLD was created and a full costing prepared, along with requests to Openreach to reserve their infrastructure.

Result:

Entegro delivered a complete survey and design service that enabled CityFibre to expedite the number of fibre ‘homes-passed’ to meet and exceed their targets. 

"The team at Entegro really impressed with their ability to understand our network architecture and delivered a full end-to-end PON design solution”

CityFibre Director