BT is working to digtially map its copper networks, fibre, telephone exchanges and phone boxes, creating a single interactive map of its infrastructure deployments.

In the past the telecoms giant has relied on a combination of electronic and paper materials for tracking its networks. Engineers wishing to plan and conduct works would often consult several documents at once, including hand-drawn diagrams.

The project is being tested in north London between Watford and Upminster, an area that encompasses 72 exchanges and 1.5 million customer lines. Following a six-month evaluation period, BT plans to expand the scheme to cover the rest of London – and eventually the whole country.

Once completed, the new system will allow workers to customise a map of the UK, showing the precise location of every cable and communications exchange. This increased visibility will help BT to plan, monitor and maintain its networks more efficiently, said programme director Derek Hewins.

"We will effectively have a sat nav of the BT network; a geographical representation of our poles, ducts, fibre, copper – anything that we have in the ground," said Hewins.

"Everything that connects 22 million businesses and homes in the UK can appear on this system. This is a national solution, and will probably hold one of the largest inventories of its kind in the country."

The visual representation of BT's records can be viewed by anyone on the company's intranet, allowing all employees simultaneous access to the same materials. The systems map highlights areas that are being worked on, a feature that opens the door for collaboration on specific building sites.

And while BT will clearly benefit from a broader, more accurate view of its networks, the rest of the UK also stands to gain.

"Fault-repair times will be much quicker," said Hewins.

"We will have the information to send engineers to the right place, equipped with the right data and gear to fix the faults within the required lead times."