D&A clears pathway for advancing altnets

D&A Commercial Cleaning has established itself as a respected player within the Telecommunications & fibre industry, providing specialist desilting and tree-cutting services to over 120 altnets since launching in June 2020.

The organisation was established three years ago after identifying a gap In the industry. With the team bringing experience in civil avoidance since 2015, D&A saw an opportunity to offer a service it believes is superior to what was being provided in the sector. 

D&A attributes its growth in these years to the role it company plays in ensuring rollouts can commence quickly, without additional noise, disruption and environmental impact.

It states: “Our growth and volume of strong relationships has come from our demonstrated history of quality delivery which means the companies we work with maintain a strong reputation.”

“This is enabling those companies to have better relationships with business owners and residents, and this will have a direct impact on connections when these networks go live.”

D&A’s primary service is cleaning and desilting fibre optic cable ducts to aid the implementation of urban or rural rollouts. A proactive approach prevents an accumulation of silt, dirt or other materials.

The service helps maintain optimal conditions for cable installation, prevent blockages and damage, and ensure the long-term performance of networks.

This is paired with Tree Surgery Teams. D&A  highlights: “This points to a challenge facing altnets with the preservation of existing infrastructure and the protection of the environment during the fibre rollout process.

“Our qualified Tree Surgery Teams often face the delicate task of removing trees and vegetation without causing harm to the surrounding ecosystem.”

To combat this, D&A develop plans to assess the impact on wildlife habitats and used specialised techniques to minimise disruption. Additionally, it ensures compliance with environmental regulations and engages in sustainable practices to mitigate their ecological footprint. The company works on-site with electric Chainsaws for noise suppression, often keeping residents on the side.

D&A has tailored its system for Site Reports since its inception based on its experiences with partners. Its clients receive detailed reports daily, providing real-time updates on the progress and condition of the deployment.

The company states: “This level of transparency and communication enhances collaboration and enables prompt decision-making, ultimately contributing to faster and more effective rollouts.

“Our Ops Team and on-site teams go above and beyond to ensure that our clients have a clear understanding of the progress, challenges, and opportunities associated with their projects.”

These reports also offer actionable recommendations to optimise the deployment process and improve efficiency.

Another innovation D&A points to is the implementation of civils avoidance strategies across the Openreach PIA network, navigating existing infrastructure and avoiding unnecessary civil works. This can significantly reduce the time and costs of cable installation.

For 2024, the D&A board is considering diversification for future growth and expansion. It also plans to expand into Scotland. CEO Dave Angel states: “We are constantly striving to identify and improve our support & operations with all partners.”

He does this by empowering employees to take on a greater role in customer engagement. This helps identify what D&A’s partner’s needs are more closely.

He stated: “In 2024 we have already strengthened our back office and staffing levels to ensure we can maintain our position as a supplier in providing ancillary support to the telecoms sector.

“For the foreseeable three to five years we do not see the sector slowing down, as connectivity has become a necessity for households, just like water, electricity and gas before it.