BT pledges better broadband access in remote areas

BT is to test technology that it hopes will provide broadband services over longer distances addressing the problem of ‘not spots’.

The company’s Openreach wholesale service said it would run further pilot trials of its Broadband Enabling Technology (BET), a new fixed-line solution that could deliver services up to 7.4 miles (12km) from a local exchange.

Currently most homes and business that are more than 3.10 miles (5km) from a local exchange are called 'not spots' because they are unable to receive a stable broadband service. This is because the broadband signal delivered over the copper lines degrades with distance.

The BET technology, which is based on an existing business-class broadband service, is capable of boosting the broadband signal.

BT said initial trials in Inverness and Dingwall, Scotland had been successful with lines between 7km (4.3 miles) and 12km running stable 1Mbit/sec services. Where a second copper line is available, lines can be bonded together to provide a 2Mbits/sec service. Now the technology will be deployed in a further eight exchanges.

During the trial period, Openreach will supply a free remote powered unit at the customer’s home to enable the service. It is also deploying the BET equipment needed in the trial exchanges free of charge.

BT said the service will be available to UK internet service providers (ISPs) on “a fair and equal basis”. However, the telecommunications provider said the price of the service to customers will be up to individual ISPs to decide.

The pilot commences on 30 September. BT said it hoped to find partners that will help fund installing the technology in more rural or remote exchanges so the technology can be used on a wider basis.

The latest areas BT is going to trial the technology are:

Twyford, Berkshire
Badsey, Worcestershire
Llanfyllin, Powys,
Leyland, Lancashire
Ponteland, Northumberland
Wigton, Cumbria
Horsham, West Sussex
Wymondham, Norfolk