BT to Pioneer New Super-Fast Broadband Movement
Dan Drage dan@consumerchoices.co.uk
BT announced today an ambitious plan to rollout super-fast fibre networks to 10 million homes by 2012 (15-07-08).
The scheme, which will cost in the region of £1.5 billion, will deliver a range of services with top speeds of 100MBps. The network will be capable of delivering 1000MBps speeds as the associated technology develops.
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"Will 100Mb really mean 100Mb when it is finally delivered?"
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BT (www.bt.com) and Ofcom are scheduled to meet and discuss how a supportive and enduring regulatory environment can be created for the new network to thrive in. One such suggestion involves removing current barriers to investment and making sure that anyone who chooses to invest in fibre can earn a fair rate of return for their shareholders.
Ian Livingstone, BT Chief Executive, had the following to say:
“Broadband has boosted the UK economy and is now an essential part of our customers’ lives. We now want to make a step-change in broadband provision which will offer faster speeds than ever before. This marks the beginning of a new chapter in Britain’s broadband story”
He continues:
“This is a bold step by BT and we need others to be just as bold. We are keen to partner with people who share our vision for the next phase of the broadband revolution.”
Fibre-based super-fast broadband will allow users the ability to run multiple bandwidth shredding applications simultaneously. Online gaming, watching iPlayer and downloading movies in tandem is a distinct possibility. Holographic video conferencing will become commonplace.
Oli White, Head of Marketing at the UK's current fastest broadband provider Be Broadband (www.bethere.co.uk), is wary of a potential BT monopoly:
"If BT follows the same model as we have in place now it will allow Be to offer more than 20meg broadband to far more than the existing 6% of the population. But if BT is allowed to take advantage of its monopolistic position and prevent ISPs like Be from delivering an exceptional service to customers, it will be a missed opportunity."
Michael Phillips, Product Director at Broadband Choices, is delighted at these developments, but hopes customers do receive the speeds that are being promised:
“Obviously i welcome this move, especially as other countries such as France are a long way ahead already”
He continues:
“Will 100Mb really mean 100Mb when it is finally delivered? That remains to be seen. For now, I think it’s vital competitors are given the same regulatory privileges BTopenreach allowed providers such as Talktalk (www.talktalk.co.uk) and Sky (www.sky.com). Having been granted regulatory privileges, these ISPs revolutionised the market with 'free' broadband offers.”
Related article - Test your Broadband Speed.
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