What is fibre ‘overbuild’ in network connectivity & what is its impact?

At Optinet, we deliver and manage innovative, agile full-fibre broadband solutions for commercial building owners and landlords. 

But to achieve these high-performance, optimised connectivity solutions, guarding against ‘overbuild’ is crucial. What is it, what impact does it have and how best is it avoided? 

What is overbuild in network connectivity? 

Full-fibre connectivity has meant incredible things for businesses and individuals. Across commercial and residential properties, we now have access to speeds we never thought possible. 

But with this has come a new phenomenon — fibre overbuild, or duplication. Overbuild refers to multiple operators deploying their own infrastructure at the same location, resulting in more fibre-optic cable than is required in a given building or area. 

What are the impacts of overbuild? 

Overbuilt networks can have a surprising number of financial, environmental and logistical consequences which should concern building managers, landlords and tenants. 

Inefficient maintenance

Those designing and building your network do so on the basis of 100% uptake. If your network is fragmented and has a large amount of spare capacity, then you’re risking the dreaded ‘web of wires’ — duplicating the amount of upkeep required. 

This suboptimal infrastructure setup means that it takes longer (and costs more) to manage the network, with engineers performing work on (essentially redundant) fibre cabling. 

Reduced competitiveness 

Whilst building managers may think that multiple providers means more choice, it can actually result in a less efficient, less competitive proposition. 

Fibre optic infrastructure isn’t cheap. The expenses associated with maintaining an overbuilt network are almost always higher than an optimised network — these costs will need to either be absorbed or passed onto building tenants. 

Environmental impact 

The importance of sustainability in every aspect of building design and management cannot be overstated — this includes the connectivity infrastructure. 

Firstly and most obviously, overbuild results in an abundance of unused cabling. This excessive fibre running through the ground is a waste of precious raw materials. 

Additionally, connecting and managing these networks can be labour intensive. Multiple providers means multiple engineering workforces, multiplying your carbon emissions.

Confusion and uncertainty 

Overbuild can be a real headache for building and property managers. Juggling a number of different connectivity operators simply adds unnecessary complexity. 

A single point of contact for all your connectivity is the most efficient way of operating, streamlining documentation and management. 

Damaged brand perception 

There’s nothing more irritating for building tenants than a troublesome broadband connection and persistent engineer visits. 

With more cabling and more operators comes the potential for more service quality issues. When a network is overbuilt and not consolidated with a single operator, remedying these can become a lot more complex. 

A less dynamic network 

With an overbuilt network also comes difficulty in redeveloping your property. Building owners and managers will need to get in touch with all individual operators to undertake diversionary works — relocating the cables.

Also, as technology advances, having a fragmented network makes it more challenging to stay at the cutting edge. That new, expensive upgrade becomes a logistical nightmare and you risk technological obsolescence. Overbuilt networks are not dynamic. 

Optinet: avoiding overbuild with intelligent, agile connectivity solutions 

Less is more. Not only does overbuild produce a financial cost, but an environmental one. Risk of overbuild is dramatically increased where multiple different providers are active.  

Overbuild is avoided by having your connectivity solution designed, delivered and managed by one single operator — like us. 

We work with landlords, property owners, building managers and developers to implement innovative, sustainable, full-fibre broadband solutions to serviced offices, retail parks, department stores and co-working spaces. Through years of expertise, we have a clear understanding of the many pain points and unique challenges faced by IT managers. Check out our new development at Westfield!