Leading broadband provider BT has announced plans to open up its underground ducts to rival firms, it has been reported.

According to the Financial Times, rival internet service providers will soon be able to run their own high-speed broadband networks using BT's infrastructure.

Competitors could now be able to lay fibre-optic cables without excessive disruption to road and communications links, the news provider stated.

BT's Chief Executive Ian Livingston said the firm had been talking to media regulator Ofcom since last year about opening up its infrastructure.

"Although it's unlikely to be the silver bullet to get fibre to every home, open access to all ducts, not just ours, might help BT and others extend coverage and so we would like to see a future government support such a move," he stated.

BT is currently leading UK attempts to improve broadband speeds and coverage by investing £1.5 billion in the national telephony network.