What is PIA?

Are you looking to understand what PIA means in telecoms?

PIA (Physical Infrastructure Access) is a way of rolling out full-fibre broadband using Openreach’s existing network of ducts (underground tunnels) and telegraph poles. Instead of digging up roads and laying brand-new infrastructure, network providers can use these existing pathways to bring faster, more reliable broadband to homes and businesses across the UK.

How Does PIA Work?

Let’s break it down.

Openreach has two main types of infrastructure:

• Underground ducts – cables run through tunnels beneath streets.

• Overhead telegraph poles – cables are strung between poles above ground.

Because Openreach’s network already reaches most homes in the UK, broadband providers can use these existing routes to upgrade connections from slow, outdated copper cables to high-speed fibre optic. This means better internet with far less disruption.

At Netomnia, using PIA has helped us connect over 2 million premises in just four years, allowing us to expand quickly while keeping costs down.

Why Does Openreach Allow Other Networks to Use Its Infrastructure?

It’s a fair question – why would Openreach let other companies use its network?

The answer is simple: Regulatory requirements ensure for a competitive network rather than a monopoly.

By allowing other providers to use their infrastructure, it results in a better consumer choice.

The Benefits of PIA

1. Faster Full-Fibre Rollout

Using PIA means network providers can install full-fibre broadband much quicker than if they had to build everything from scratch. Instead of spending years digging up roads and installing new poles, they can simply upgrade what’s already there.

This gets high-speed broadband to homes and businesses much faster.

2. Lower Costs

Building an entirely new broadband network from the ground up is expensive. PIA allows network providers to save money by using existing infrastructure, meaning they can invest more in growing their networks and improving services.

3. Less Disruption for Local Communities

Since PIA makes use of existing infrastructure, it reduces the need for noisy roadworks and the installation of new telegraph poles. That means:

• Fewer roadworks and less noise

• A quicker and cleaner installation process

• A more environmentally friendly way to expand broadband networks

At Netomnia, we believe in making broadband upgrades as hassle-free as possible, keeping things simple for both residents and businesses.

4. More choice for consumers

Because the rollout of full-fibre broadband happens a lot quicker and a lot more cost-effectively, it means that more network builders are able to offer their ISP partner services. This ultimately results in more choice of broadband providers for the end consumer. 5. For businesses, it means smooth operations and better productivity

If you are a business owner, having access to full-fibre broadband means that your teams can work confidently knowing that there will be maximum uptime.

Downloading and uploading files happen effortlessly allowing team productivity to soar.

Now You Know!

So next time you hear someone talking about PIA, you’ll know exactly what they mean – and why it’s so important for rolling out full-fibre broadband.

Want to check if your home is included in our PIA-powered network rollout? Use our postcode checker today!