BT sees lack of support for PIA product

No internet service providers have signed up to utilise BT's Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA) product, which can be used to support the rollout of fibre optic broadband.

Despite a trial of the offering being launched last November with support from the likes of Fujitsu and Sky, the telecoms giant has still not had any firm bids for PIA, reports IT Pro.

The product offers BT's rivals the chance to rent access to its network of underground ducts and telegraph poles, allowing them to lay fibre optic broadband cables across the infrastructure.

Explaining its decision not to take part in the PIA trial or utilise the product itself, TalkTalk said: "We understand that the product, while improved from a year ago, still remains expensive and difficult to use in practice."

The news comes despite BT's claim in November that the PIA trial had attracted positive feedback from trialists, including Fujitsu, which it described as the "furthest-advanced participant" in the pilot scheme.