This article was published on October 9, 2009

BT Brings Super Fast Broadband to 2.5 Million Homes in the UK


BT Brings Super Fast Broadband to 2.5 Million Homes in the UK

562-green-light-for-super-fast-broadband-across-the-uk-i1BT is rolling out its new super fast fibre broadband to 2.5 million homes in the UK with promises of speeds of up to 1Gb in the future.

The new roll out will double the number of homes which should get its fastest 100Mb service.

The project is the next step in the company’s plan to roll out a fibre optic service to 10 million homes by 2012.

High-speed internet access is seen as crucial for the next-generation of internet services, and rival internet service providers, including Carphone Warehouse and Sky, will be able to lease these high-speed connections from BT, as the new network will be offered on a wholesale basis.

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“This development shows that we are determined to bring world-leading broadband speeds to UK homes and businesses,” said Steve Robertson, the chief executive of Openreach, responsible for the expansion.

“Service providers have asked us for more fibre to premises and so we have listened to them. We need to invest for the future so that customers can access the rich applications that will be popular in a few years time.” Robertson says.

The trial is in existing homes rather than new-build properties and will help BT learn more about the performance of the technology, and the economics of rolling out fibre to homes in areas where copper services are already available.

As with most British residents, this will have to be seen to be believed. Although BT has done will to reinvigorate its reputation, Broadband has not been at the forefront of that change. That said, with Virgin Media and others pioneering faster internet speeds, its good to see BT at least attempting to lead rather than follow.

Update:

New exchanges include:

Chelmsford, St Albans, Watford, Hemel Hempstead, Leagrave, Luton, Canonbury, Chingford, Edmonton, Enfield, Highams Park, Tottenham, Thamesmead, Woolwich, Bury, Didsbury, Failsworth, Heaton Moor, Oldham, Rusholme, Beflast Balmoral, Dean, Glasgow Halfway, Glasgow Western, Cardiff, Taffs Well, Halifax, Pudsey, Calder Valley.

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