BT extends rollout of faster broadband

BT has announced that it will more than double the number of homes and businesses that will get fibre to the premises (FTTP) to include areas that already have existing copper lines.

BT Openreach, the part of BT responsible for deploying the technology, initially planned to roll out FTTP technology to one million new-build premises only; with plans to give a further nine million fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) by 2012.

Now the rollout of FTTP will include a further 1.5 million premises in areas that already have existing copper lines.

FTTP is BT’s fastest fibre technology offering end users speed of up to 100Mbits/sec with the capacity to deliver more if there is the commercial demand.

FTTC, where the fibre ends at a cabinet in the street, and broadband, is delivered to homes or businesses over existing copper lines offers speeds of up to 40Mbits/sec.

Today’s announcement closely follows Openreach’s selection of Bradwell Abbey in Milton Keynes and Highams Park, London, as the first 'brownfield' trial sites for FTTP. Up to 20,000 homes and businesses in each area will receive speeds of up to 100Mbits/sec by March 2010.

Openreach said it will use this trial to learn more about the performance of the technology and the economics of rolling out fibre directly to homes in areas where copper services are already available.

Steve Robertson, Openreach’s chief executive officer said: “This development shows that we are determined to bring world-leading broadband speeds to UK homes and businesses. Service providers have asked us for more FTTP and so we have listened to them.

“The UK already leads the world when it comes to broadband availability and today’s announcement will help the UK climb the speed league tables as well.

"The UK is well placed but we need to invest for the future so that customers can access the rich applications that will be popular in a few years' time."

The company said it has been making good progress with all aspects of its fibre programme and is commercially ahead of target.

This has allowed the expansion of FTTP availability to be contained within its overall investment of £1.5bn. The rollout of fibre services has begun and BT has confirmed that 1.5 million homes will have access by next summer.

When the technology is installed it will be available to all internet service providers on a fair and equal basis to foster competition to the benefit of consumers and businesses.