Unique UK landscape should embrace collaboration, says NETS

NETS International is a global systems integrator and solutions provider with over 40 years of expertise and an established presence in the UK, UAE, KSA, Germany, Pakistan, and the USA.

Here Haseeb Ahmed – CEO NETS International UK, discusses the unique nature of the UK market and how it differs from more centralised, government-driven rollouts.

He shares what the UK can learn from other nations as well as how the UK can leverage its unique number of players to keep driving the full fibre market and deliver an efficient rollout that maximises investor returns and end-user benefits.

Q. In what way does the UK fibre market differentiate from those in other countries in which you operate – and what could the UK learn from international operations?

We see three main areas where the UK has a unique set of circumstances for its fibre rollout.

First is its Regulatory Environment. The UK has a well-established regulatory framework for telecommunications, with the Ofcom overseeing the industry. In contrast, countries like the UAE and KSA have relatively centralized, government-driven regulatory approaches, which can enable faster decision-making and policy implementation.

Second is the market structure and competition this has given way to. The UK has a more mature and competitive telecommunications market, with multiple private providers vying for fibre customers. In comparison, some Middle Eastern and South Asian markets have a more dominant role for state-owned or state-backed telecom operators, which can shape the pace and nature of fibre rollouts.

The last differentiator is the UK’s deployment strategies. The UK's fibre deployment has focused on a more gradual, piecemeal approach, with providers targeting specific regions and communities. In contrast, some international markets, such as Pakistan, have adopted a more centralized, nationwide fibre deployment strategy, sometimes aided by government initiatives.

By studying the approaches and experiences of other countries, the UK can potentially identify opportunities to optimise its fibre deployment strategies, streamline regulatory processes, diversify funding models, and foster greater collaboration with stakeholders – all of which could help accelerate the rollout of high-speed fibre connectivity across the country.

Q. How does the UK benefit from having more competition and how can these operators best drive the market for full fibre?

As the UK's alternative network providers work to drive the market for full fibre broadband, there are several key ways they can collaborate as a community to achieve greater success. Many of these focus on working together.

Knowledge sharing and best practices, collaborative network planning and deployment, joint procurement and supply chain optimisation, and cross-promotion and joint marketing are all examples.

By leveraging the power of the altnet community, the UK's independent fibre providers can more effectively navigate the challenges, capitalise on opportunities, and drive the widespread deployment of high-quality, future-proof fibre networks across the country.

Q. What would you change about the UK’s full fibre rollout?

We would aim to transform the following aspects:

Incentives and Funding Schemes: Expand and optimize government funding and subsidy programs to support altnet fibre rollouts, particularly in areas with low commercial viability.

Infrastructure Access and Shared Resources Promote the development of shared network elements, like multi-dwelling unit fibre access points, to reduce the cost and complexity of fibre rollouts.

Talent Development and Skills Training: Invest in programs to develop a skilled workforce capable of designing, constructing, and maintaining fibre networks and collaborate with educational institutions to create specialised training and certification programmes for fibre deployment technicians, engineers, and project managers.

Our NETS Academy focuses on talent development and skills training. By building local capacity and supporting migrant workers, we ensure a steady supply of skilled professionals who are ready to meet the demands of the evolving fibre industry.

Q. What are the current biggest challenges and how are you helping altnets address them?

The UK Fibre Market is currently facing several challenges, such as frozen investment in the building segment and a slow take-up rate, making it difficult for operators to manage all functions in-house. To address these issues, we prioritize offering 24/7 Helpdesk & NOC Services, Turnkey MDU Network Build Services, Customer Installation for both homes and offices, Network Maintenance covering both access networks and customer maintenance, and Network Monitoring.

Our growth strategy for the UK focuses on leveraging our expertise, strengthening partnerships, engaging local resources, ensuring regulatory compliance, and continuous R&D to incorporate emerging technologies, driving substantial growth in the UK market.