Wessex Water cites commercial and technical reasons for dropping sewer-based fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) rollout, although a pilot project was completed.

The project will be completed using micro-trenching and digging up roads as a way to avoid the rollout "coming to a halt”. Borough Council has given planning permission for these techniques to be used.

Network supplier i3 Group was planning to deliver the FTTH service for Bournemouth residents through sewer systems owned by Wessex Water.

In a released statement i3 indicated that "citing technical issues as a reason is misleading in respect to the viability of the i3 Group's FS System, a patented method of laying fibre in ready made ducts including sewer pipes."

But the reasons for the change in plans remain vague at best.

Meanwhile, Scottish Water has recently signed a non-exclusive framework agreement with i3 to expand operations across Scotland. The utilities provider is working with i3 Group to allow a similar sewer-based FTTH project in Dundee.