In the case of VirginO2 I think their extensive duct network should be available to PIA in order to foster competition and overcome the ridiculous pole rush that we are seeing at the moment.

Agreed.

In reply to a post by FibreBubble:

In the case of VirginO2 I think their extensive duct network should be available to PIA in order to foster competition and overcome the ridiculous pole rush that we are seeing at the moment.

It might happen
https://www.theregister.com/2024/02/19/virgin_media_...

The VM proposal isn’t an equivalent to PIA , it’s simply they will offer wholesale access , fact is , PIA is an imposition, no network will freely offer it unless under duress, if VM ever offer PIA it won’t be voluntary but mandated by the regulator

Is the PIA being mentioned here an abbreviation of Physical Infrastructure Access?

In reply to a post by 4M2:

Is the PIA being mentioned here an abbreviation of Physical Infrastructure Access?

Yes, the link up the thread defines, repeated here, required of Openreach by Ofcom in 2019.

https://www.openreach.co.uk/cpportal/products/passiv...

Thanks for repeating the link - so in the context of this thread there is a stipulation that for any contactor "You’ll need to follow our engineering principles and health and safety standards for any work you do."

If there are duct blockages perhaps there might be a requirement for Openreach to do the repair?

I believe altnets using pia can clear blockages themselves, but should be doing so to openreach spec. It would be easy for them to do a quick bodge to get their own fibre through, whilst leaving the blockage present, only for it to be excavated again at later date. However openreach will pay altnets for civils work so long as they submit evidence for auditing.