SSE Enterprise Telecoms Unbundle 177 More BT Exchanges in the UK

SSE Enterprise Telecoms has this morning announced that their UK fibre optic network will be extended to another 180,000 UK business post codes by unbundling 177 extra BT Exchanges. Apparently the operator’s 13,700km “dark-fibre like” network will also be capable of delivering up to 100Gbps to each exchange.

According to the announcement, mobile operator Three UK will be the first service provider to benefit from their enhanced network footprint (they’ll need it to fuel existing 4G and future 5G capacity demands), which is based on a deal that was announced in May 2018 (here). Similarly the operator’s new 100Gbps capability was announced last month (here).

Further details about the reach of their existing optical and Ethernet network can be downloaded here, although at the time of writing this hasn’t yet been updated to confirm which of today’s new exchanges are being added to the unbundled list.

Colin Sempill, MD of SSE Enterprise Telecoms , said:

“We have always placed great pride in our network and ensuring that it is in the best possible shape to serve our customers both now and in the future. Legacy networks are coming under more strain as the demands placed on them potentially outweigh their capabilities. This rollout will guarantee 100Gbps services, putting the UK on the front foot to be a pioneering digital economy and making use of new technologies like 5G. Networks will underpin the connected society that many anticipate with 5G.”

In unbundling more exchanges they will essentially be expanding the reach available to UK businesses and service providers, while “ensuring greater reliability of performance at a more competitive price point, as there will be less reliance on incumbents.” We understand that batches of the new exchanges will be released over a 2-year period and will eventually be available to quote via the operator’s website (LIVEQUOTE).