BT rolls out 40Mbps fibre broadband in UK

22 Jan 2010

BT has revealed the pricing for its new broadband service BT Infinity. The fibre-optic technology-based broadband offers download speeds of 40Mbps for just stg£19.99 (€22.81) a month.

Upstream speeds, at up to 10Mbps, will be the fastest in the UK, more than six times faster than Virgin Media’s fastest service, giving customers far greater interactivity.

The service will enable households with multiple computers/internet devices to enjoy simultaneous use of services, such as high-definition (HD) catch-up TV, social networking and the sharing of photos or films, amongst others.

Another benefit

The faster service will also benefit those who log on for entertainment services, offering high-quality streaming of popular video content from iPlayer and YouTube and downloads up to seven times faster on iTunes. Online gaming will be up to 30pc faster.

“The internet is essential to our customers’ lives and they are demanding more and more as richer and even more compelling services become available,” Gavin Patterson, chief executive officer, BT Retail explained.

“BT Infinity gives customers the capacity and reliability they need in an instant and at a great value price they can afford. We want to give our customers the best possible online experience and are committed to rolling out super fast speeds across the UK.”

BT Customers in Muswell Hill, Whitchurch and Glasgow Halfway have been enjoying the faster speeds through a BT trial. The service will be made available to 4 million homes and businesses by the end of December 2010, following the roll out of the technology by Openreach, BT’s local access division.

BT programme

Today’s announcement is part of BT’s longer-term programme to make super fast broadband available to at least 40pc of the UK, some 10 million homes and businesses, by the summer of 2012.

The company has pledged to spend stg£1.5 billion, the UK’s biggest single commercial investment, in rolling out fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) and fibre to the premise (FTTP) services.

BT is also launching a new super fast broadband service to business, which will be known as BT Business Total Broadband Fibre.

By John Kennedy

Photo: BT is aiming to make super fast broadband available to at least close to half of the United Kingdom by summer 2012

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com