GTC and HBF in UK Deal to Support 300Mbps FTTH for New Build Homes

Utility infrastructure provider GTC has followed BT and Virgin Media’s lead by signing a new national deal with the Home Builders Federation (HBF), which should make it easier for them to push their 300Mbps Fibre-to-the-Home / Premise (FTTH/P) network into more new build homes.

The HBF represents around 80% of all new homes built each year across England and Wales, which makes it an important partner. On top of that a combination of pressure from the UK Government and related EU guidelines will soon require that “all new buildings – and those undergoing major renovation – for which applications for building permission have been submitted after 31 December 2016 must be high-speed [broadband[ ready” (here).

The adjustment has put pressure on property developers to ensure that they know the options for getting a good “high-speed” or “super-fast” broadband service installed (in this context the download speed required usually equates to 30Mbps+) as part of their developments. So far this has resulted in two major partnerships with BT (here) and Virgin Media (here).

Today it’s the turn of GTC, which is part of the Brookfield Utilities UK (BUUK) group that similarly includes Independent Fibre Networks (IFNL) and related ISP Seethelight. GTC have also done supply deals with other ISPs too, such as VFast and Direct Save Telecom.

Peter Andrew, HBF’s Deputy Chairman, said:

“Broadband speed is seen by many home buyers as being absolutely essential to the way we live and communicate today. House builders have the challenge of ensuring their new homes keep pace with future advances and the GTC agreement provides HBF Members with another option for a service that exceeds these demands today, but importantly futureproofs new homes for the greater demands to come.”

Clive Linsdell, GTC’s CEO, added:

“GTC is delighted to offer HBF members a market leading Fibre-to-the-Premise product, backed by the familiar long-term reliability of GTC’s service delivery. Many HBF members rely on our service to ensure housing completions are made on time, and we are pleased to extend the benefits of GTC’ s services into Telecoms where reliable service is also much needed.”

Under the deal the HBF will be able to highlight GTC as another broadband option to developers. GTC will also offer unlimited free site assessments, dedicated site technical management and after sales benefits (e.g. product training, promotional marketing material and a complementary sales-suite ultrafast broadband connection). Detailed technical guides can be found on GTC’s website and on GTC’s customer portal, GTC Live.