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i3 Group 'scraps plans for sewer broadband carrier'

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Posted 13th August 2010 at 4:36pm by Ewan Taylor-Gibson

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The i3 Group's plans to use the sewage system in Bournemouth to carry its super-fast 100MB fibre optic broadband network around the city have been quashed.

Wessex Water, which has responsibility for the sewers, cited both technical and business-related grounds for its decision not to give the plans the go-ahead, IPReview.co.uk reports.

This set-back could be considerably costly for the internet service provider as laying fibre optic cables through existing underground sewers is significantly cheaper than digging up roads.

Back in July, Fibrecity Holdings, part of the i3 Group, asserted that consumers are only getting about half the advertised broadband speed they are paying for because antiquated copper networks designed to support telephone calls are being used to deliver internet data.

"In my opinion, the only way to ensure guaranteed speeds for consumers is to build commercially viable fibre to the home networks," said Elfed Thomas, chief executive officer of the i3 Group. 

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  • James, 13th August 2010.

    I live in BH11 and was one of the first customers to be connected by fibre-optic cabling to the outside of my home. I don't believe that it makes a difference whether the cable is through the sewers or micro-trenched, Fibrecity are making Bournemouth one of the first fibre-cities in the UK, that's the main point! I now have a fantastic service with the fibre giving me speeds of around 94Mbps - thanks to Fibreband

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  • Carl Barron, 15th August 2010.

    Scottish water companies said they benefit from allowing broadband into their ducts because it generates revenue and also helps with the management and repair of pipes. If Scottish Water can be successful with this proven system, then Wessex Water has no case to refuse to co-operate

    Scottish Water companies have stated: ”Using the sewers, micro-trenching and other innovative techniques means minimal disruption to roads and the network and the approach also creates another revenue stream for Scottish Water.”

    It is high time this Government got to grips with utility companies in the UK blatantly abusing their position to the determent of the public. The Government should threaten to sue any utility company failing to co-ordinate with other companies hence causing our roads to be almost constantly dug up and hindering traffic.

    Signed Carl Barron Chairman of agpcuk

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