Ofcom has opened a second investigation into IX Wireless, the previous investigation was started in May 2025.
This latest investigation appears to be looking at whether the fibre that is installed to carry data back and forth from the metal wireless masts is at the correct height where it crosses a road.
“Among other obligations, IX Wireless is required to comply with the Regulations, including requirements to:
inspect and maintain his electronic communications apparatus, other than apparatus installed underground or inside a building or other permanent structure, so as to ensure that it will not cause injury to any person or damage to property (Regulation 10(1)).”
ensure that any lines installed over the carriageway of a maintainable highway or, in Scotland, a public road are placed at least 5.5 metres above the surface of the highway or road (Regulation 4(2)(a)); and
Part of Ofcom text on new investigation
For those not familiar with the IX Wireless deployments we covered a range of their hardware in pictures back in April 2023.
IX Wireless has proven unpopular as while the final few metres of broadband delivery are wireless, the associated fibre and wireless mast and cabinets are immediately obvious to residents. They also are often deploying to locations that have cable broadband or full fibre options rather than targeting areas that have slow speeds where residents are keen for anything that will let them use broadband seamlessly.
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See if their political donations go up in light of this.
Politicians could do worse than investigating their use of regulations to plaster poles all over the place despite pre-existing infrastructure that may be used via PIA and their use of permitted development rules relating to full fibre to build wireless masts.
Although politicians should get involved in raising concerns of constituents it’s entirely right for regulators to enforce the laws so it’s probably something more for regulators like Ofcom 🙂
Not much Ofcom can do about the misuse of the permitted development rules, they apparently aren’t being outright breached. Due to the fluffy language on using pre-existing infrastructure IX seem to have quite a lot of leeway in claiming that PIA isn’t viable and they must use their own poles. It’s basically a pinky promise.
When Ofcom have previously been called upon to adjudicate on use of poles in areas with pre-existing infrastructure they have informed they cannot intervene. That’s a legal failing not a regulatory one, and politicians make the law.
So, as I said, politicians should intervene. There are major question marks over this company and allowing it to continue to blight towns and cities with profoundly excessive and unnecessary pole usage isn’t acceptable, it wouldn’t be if anyone were doing it.
Hull there was no choice as no viable passive access product, very much not the case here. They know their uptake is going to be very low, are building as cheaply as possible both active and passive hardware with another eye on their operating costs and avoiding paying Openreach rental for duct and pole space going forward. They aren’t in my street or town but this as a whole sours the legitimate use of poles to reach properties with FTTP.
To change the laws around PD sure.
Come to Bolton, I will show you were it isn’t anywhere near 6M.
Then the LA should also be taking action!