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Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA) Services
FDNS delivers openreach pia services for alternative networks, ISPs, fibre builders and contractors using Openreach ducts and poles. Our work is engineered around route choice and usable capacity, duct proving and blockage strategy, pole loading and overhead suitability, network adjustment requirements, records and compliance, with installation and acceptance aligned to the requirements of FTTP deployment, business fibre, rural broadband and access-network expansion. We combine survey, design, field delivery, testing and documented handover so clients receive a complete telecommunications service rather than disconnected individual activities.
What are Openreach PIA services and how does FDNS support fibre builds?
Physical Infrastructure Access, or PIA, enables communications providers to use Openreach ducts, chambers and poles when building their own fibre networks. FDNS provides PIA survey, route proving, overhead and underground build support for ISPs, alternative networks, fibre builders and principal contractors across the UK. We assess duct condition, chamber access, pole routes, blockages, usable capacity, cable entry points, overhead spans and transitions between underground and aerial infrastructure before installation begins. This allows the delivery team to identify where proving, rodding and roping, sub-duct, microduct, blockage clearance, pole work or network adjustment may be required. Good PIA delivery depends on accurate records, safe working, buildability and compliance as much as physical access to the infrastructure. FDNS combines PIA capability with fibre cabling, cable blowing, jointing, splicing, testing and commissioning, allowing the route and the optical network to be managed as one coordinated programme. The result is a more predictable build, clearer evidence and fewer surprises during construction and handover.
What our Openreach PIA infrastructure service includes
PIA survey and route feasibility
FDNS surveys proposed Openreach PIA routes across ducts, chambers and poles to identify usable infrastructure, restrictions, congestion, defects and access requirements. This gives the project team a realistic build route before cable installation or civils activity is committed.
Underground duct and chamber assessment
We review duct continuity, chamber condition, sub-duct requirements, blockages, existing occupancy and rodding or roping needs. Where issues are identified, they are recorded early so remediation can be planned rather than discovered during fibre deployment.
Overhead pole and aerial route assessment
Pole routes are checked for safe access, loading considerations, attachment positions, span suitability and practical cable routing. FDNS coordinates overhead PIA requirements with the proposed network design so aerial deployment remains buildable and maintainable.
Network adjustments and civils coordination
Where existing infrastructure cannot support the planned route, FDNS helps identify the required adjustment, civils or alternative routing activity. This can include chamber work, duct remediation, route changes and coordination with other delivery teams.
Cable installation through PIA infrastructure
Our capability extends beyond survey into fibre deployment, cable blowing, pulling, jointing and splicing through approved PIA routes. This gives clients one delivery partner across route preparation, cable installation and optical network build.
Evidence, records and compliant handover
FDNS maintains route, access, defect and completion records in line with the agreed project and PIA process. Clear evidence supports handover, future maintenance and auditability while reducing uncertainty between survey, build and commissioning teams.
Choose the most buildable Openreach PIA route and confirm usable capacity
A PIA route must be based on infrastructure that can actually support the proposed fibre build. FDNS compares available ducts, chambers, poles, occupancy, access and route length before confirming the preferred alignment. This helps avoid designs that look efficient on mapping systems but become unbuildable because of blocked ducts, congested sections, unsuitable poles or inaccessible infrastructure.
Prove ducts, identify blockages and plan remediation early
Underground PIA deployment depends on continuous, usable duct capacity. FDNS reviews rodding, roping, duct proving, chamber condition and blockage information so restrictions are identified before cable installation is scheduled. Where defects or obstructions are found, the required remediation, civils or route change can be incorporated into the programme rather than becoming an unexpected delay during build.
Check pole suitability, loading and aerial route constraints
Overhead PIA routes require more than a line between two poles. FDNS considers pole condition, loading, attachment position, span length, clearances, crossings and access so aerial fibre can be installed safely and remain maintainable. This gives the delivery team a realistic overhead work package aligned with the proposed network architecture and local site constraints.
Plan network adjustments, civils and route changes around real constraints
PIA infrastructure is often mixed, with usable sections interrupted by congested ducts, defective chambers or poles that cannot support the intended route. FDNS identifies where network adjustment, chamber work, duct repair, new civils or an alternative alignment is needed. By integrating these decisions into the design, the project gains a clearer route from survey through construction and fibre installation.
Maintain PIA records, evidence and compliance throughout delivery
Traceable records are essential when multiple survey, civils and fibre teams work across Openreach infrastructure. FDNS captures route information, defects, access constraints, adjustments, completion evidence and relevant handover data against the agreed PIA process. This supports auditability, future maintenance and a cleaner transfer from design into build and final acceptance.
How FDNS manages Openreach PIA delivery from route survey to compliant handover
Openreach Physical Infrastructure Access requires accurate route knowledge, usable duct and pole capacity, clear defect management and disciplined build records. FDNS manages the PIA process as a controlled sequence from route survey and proving through remediation planning, build preparation, fibre installation and final evidence. This helps operators and principal contractors reduce delays, identify network adjustments early and maintain a clearer audit trail across underground and overhead deployment.
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1. Survey ducts, chambers, poles and the proposed PIA route
FDNS inspects underground and overhead infrastructure including chambers, ducts, poles, spans, building entries and transition points. Existing records are compared with real conditions, with blockages, congestion, damaged assets, access constraints and unsuitable route sections recorded before the design is committed.
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2. Engineer the route around capacity, proving and network adjustments
We determine the most practical PIA route using available duct and pole capacity, blockage information, overhead suitability and the likely need for network adjustments or civils. The design is developed around what can genuinely be built and maintained, rather than what appears shortest on a map.
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3. Prepare proving, remediation, civils and installation activities
FDNS coordinates rodding, roping, duct proving, pole work, access, permits, traffic management, materials and any required repair or civils activity before fibre installation. Clear work packages define responsibilities and known constraints so build teams understand what must be resolved before cable deployment begins.
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4. Install fibre through approved PIA infrastructure
Fibre is installed through usable ducts or across suitable overhead routes using controlled methods appropriate to the cable and infrastructure. FDNS coordinates cable handling, chamber management, pole working, route transitions and labelling so the completed network remains traceable, maintainable and aligned with the approved route.
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5. Verify completion, defects and required network evidence
FDNS reviews completed works, residual defects, route continuity, installed fibre and any agreed test or acceptance evidence. Exceptions are recorded and resolved where required before handover, giving the operator a clearer view of completed infrastructure and any remaining actions.
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6. Handover PIA route records, evidence and compliance information
Route records, chamber and pole information, network-adjustment evidence, completed work details and relevant test or handover documents are retained in a structured package. This supports later maintenance, audit activity and future fibre expansion across the same physical infrastructure.
Openreach PIA compliance, route quality and build assurance
FDNS manages Openreach Physical Infrastructure Access as a controlled engineering, civils and fibre-delivery process. The applicable Openreach PIA engineering requirements and CP documentation are identified against the actual work package, including CP08, CP10 and other relevant requirements where they apply to survey, duct, chamber, pole, civils, remediation or installation activities. Route availability, duct occupancy, blockages, chamber condition, pole suitability, spans, access, network adjustments and proposed cable routes are reviewed before mobilisation so the build plan reflects real infrastructure.
Quality assurance continues through proving, remediation, civils and fibre installation. Rodding and roping results, duct repairs, blockage clearance, chamber works, pole activity, cable handling, bend radius, route transitions, labelling, reinstatement and exceptions are recorded as appropriate to the scope. Where the PIA route forms part of an outside-plant fibre cabling system, relevant OSP requirements, including BS EN 50714 where applicable, are considered alongside Openreach requirements, the client specification and manufacturer guidance.
The final handover is designed to provide traceability from survey through to completed network. Route records, defects, network adjustments, installed infrastructure, evidence and test information are retained so the operator or principal contractor can understand what was found, what was changed and what was delivered. FDNS ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 management systems support controlled quality, environmental and safety management throughout the programme.
Where Openreach PIA is used in fibre network deployment
Openreach PIA allows qualifying communications providers to use existing Openreach ducts, chambers and poles when building their own networks. FDNS supports PIA on FTTP roll-outs, rural broadband schemes, altnet builds, commercial fibre routes, infill projects and access-network extensions where existing physical infrastructure offers the most efficient route. The delivery model can include survey, proving, overhead and underground assessment, civils, remediation, fibre installation and completion evidence, allowing the route to progress as one coordinated work package.
Common PIA delivery risks and how FDNS controls them
PIA programmes are vulnerable to problems that are invisible on desktop records, including blocked or collapsed ducts, congested chambers, unsuitable poles, incorrect asset information, restricted access, route discontinuity and unplanned network adjustments. Civils or remediation can then become critical path activities if they are discovered too late. FDNS reduces these risks through survey-led route verification, duct proving, pole and chamber assessment, early defect capture and alignment to the relevant Openreach CP processes. This improves buildability and gives project teams a more realistic programme before fibre crews are mobilised.
How PIA fits the wider FDNS outside-plant and fibre capability
PIA is most effective when the physical infrastructure and fibre build are engineered together. FDNS can combine PIA with civils, cable blowing, underground and overhead cabling, jointing, splicing, OTDR testing, PON and network design. This allows route decisions, fibre counts, joint locations, blowing sections and testing requirements to be coordinated from the outset. Clients therefore gain one technical delivery chain from existing Openreach infrastructure through to the completed and tested fibre network.
What should be included when planning an Openreach PIA project?
An Openreach PIA project should define the proposed route, premises or network area to be served, existing Openreach infrastructure to be used, expected fibre quantities, overhead and underground sections, programme, access restrictions and any known defects or capacity constraints. The applicable Openreach PIA engineering processes and CP requirements should be identified against the work package, including CP08, CP10 and other requirements where relevant to survey, civils, duct, chamber, pole or remediation activities. FDNS uses this information to establish whether the route is genuinely buildable before fibre installation is committed.
Prepare a PIA work package covering ducts, poles, civils and remediation
A strong PIA work package should identify chambers, ducts, pole routes, spans, blockages, proving requirements, network adjustments, traffic-management needs, civils, reinstatement, cable installation sections and evidence responsibilities. Survey results and known defects should be separated from assumptions so contractors are not forced to price unknown route conditions as confirmed scope. Where gaps remain, FDNS can survey, prove and develop the route before build, giving the client a clearer programme and reducing late changes once crews are mobilised.
Define PIA completion evidence, fibre acceptance and handover records
PIA acceptance should be agreed before work starts, including route evidence, defect records, network adjustments, chamber or pole information, reinstatement, cable-installation records and any required fibre test results. FDNS can coordinate this evidence with splicing, OTDR and optical-loss testing where the PIA route forms part of a complete fibre build. The final handover should allow the operator or principal contractor to trace what infrastructure was used, what defects were found, what remediation was completed and how the installed fibre was verified.
Why choose FDNS for Openreach PIA survey, civils and fibre deployment?
FDNS delivers Openreach Physical Infrastructure Access as a specialist outside-plant engineering service, combining survey, duct and chamber assessment, pole routes, civils, remediation, cable installation and completion evidence. We understand that PIA projects are governed by different Openreach engineering processes depending on the work being carried out, including CP08, CP10 and other applicable requirements. With practical PIA, fibre and civils capability, FDNS can manage the route from existing Openreach infrastructure through to installed and tested fibre rather than treating PIA as a paperwork-only activity.
Openreach PIA requirements applied to the actual work scope
FDNS identifies the relevant Openreach CP requirements against the specific activity, whether that involves route survey, ducts, chambers, poles, civils, remediation or cable installation. This provides a stronger compliance approach than using one generic PIA checklist across every type of work.
Buildability checked before fibre crews are mobilised
Blocked ducts, chamber congestion, unsuitable poles, inaccurate records and route discontinuities are identified as early as possible through survey and proving. This gives project teams a realistic route and reduces late programme changes once installation resources are committed.
Civils, remediation and fibre installation coordinated together
Where network adjustment, duct repair, blockage clearance, chamber work or new civils are required, FDNS can coordinate those activities with the subsequent fibre build. This reduces interface gaps and allows the route to progress as one controlled work package.
Evidence-led PIA completion and handover
FDNS records route information, defects, remediation, infrastructure used, exceptions and relevant completion evidence so operators and principal contractors can trace what was surveyed, changed and installed across the PIA network.
PIA integrated with fibre blowing, splicing and testing
Our wider capability includes cable blowing, overhead and underground fibre, jointing, OTDR and PON deployment. Clients can therefore use FDNS for the physical infrastructure and the fibre network that ultimately runs through it.
Frequently asked questions about Openreach PIA services
1. What does FDNS provide as part of an Openreach PIA project?
FDNS can support route survey, duct and chamber assessment, pole routes, rodding and roping, proving, blockage identification, civils, remediation, cable installation, jointing, testing and completion evidence. The exact scope is aligned to the approved PIA work package and relevant Openreach engineering requirements.
2. Which Openreach CP requirements apply to PIA work?
The applicable CP documentation depends on the activity being carried out. FDNS works to the relevant Openreach PIA processes, including CP08, CP10 and other applicable requirements for survey, duct, chamber, pole, civils, remediation and installation work rather than treating PIA as a single generic standard.
3. Can FDNS survey and prove ducts before fibre installation?
Yes. Duct continuity, occupancy, blockages, chamber condition, access and route constraints can be verified before cable crews are mobilised. Early proving reduces aborted installation, unplanned civils and late changes to the network route.
4. Can FDNS undertake PIA civils and remediation?
Yes, where included in scope. This can include blockage clearance, duct repair, chamber works, route remediation, reinstatement and other civils required to make the approved PIA route buildable, coordinated with the subsequent fibre installation programme.
5. Does FDNS also work on overhead PIA pole routes?
Yes. FDNS can survey and deliver overhead fibre routes using suitable Openreach pole infrastructure, considering pole condition, spans, attachments, clearances, crossings and transitions between overhead and underground sections.
6. Can FDNS combine PIA with cable blowing, splicing and OTDR testing?
Yes. FDNS can manage the physical infrastructure and the fibre build together, including underground or overhead installation, cable blowing, jointing, fusion splicing, OTDR and optical loss testing. This reduces gaps between separate contractors.
7. What handover evidence is produced for a PIA project?
Handover requirements depend on the work package but can include route records, defects, proving information, network adjustments, civils or remediation evidence, cable-installation details, test results and documented exceptions. The objective is full traceability from survey through completion.
8. What information is useful when requesting a PIA quotation?
Useful information includes the proposed route, network area, existing Openreach records, fibre quantities, overhead and underground sections, known defects, programme and required deliverables. FDNS can survey and develop missing route information before final pricing where necessary.
Take your PIA route from infrastructure access to tested fibre
Planning an Openreach PIA build? Let FDNS review the route
Send us the proposed route, Openreach records, fibre quantities, known blockages, overhead and underground sections, civils requirements and programme. FDNS can support survey, proving, CP-aligned PIA activities, remediation, cable installation, jointing and testing, giving you a coordinated path from existing infrastructure to documented fibre handover.
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