Hull ISP KC Launch 350Mbps Lightstream Fibre Optic Broadband Service

Hull and East Riding’s (Yorkshire, UK) incumbent internet and phone provider, KC, has today expanded their existing superfast KCLightstream fibre optic (FTTP) broadband services by launching the “fastest fully fibre broadband service available in the UK” (KCLightstream 350) with “guaranteed” speeds of up to 350Mbps (Megabits per second).

KC has been busy rolling out its new Fibre-To-The-Premises (FTTP) based broadband service in the region since September 2011 and ultimately aims to pass 15,000 local homes and businesses before the end of 2012. So far its deployment has passed 7,500 properties, with more than 20% of affected customers choosing to subscribe.

KC’s Nick Thompson said:

“In the office and at home, the Internet has become a key part of people’s everyday lives, and the amount we use and rely on it is only going to increase. That’s why we want our customers to have the best connected homes and businesses in the UK and why we’ve launched the UK’s fastest broadband service today. What’s really exciting is that our decision to invest in Fibre To The Premises technology to deliver lightning fast broadband means we’ll be able to maintain our position as the provider of the UK’s fastest fully fibre broadband service in the future.

Right now, the number of customers who feel they need a 350Mbps service is probably limited to those who want to be at the cutting edge of broadband performance. But as customers increasingly live their lives online, and as more homes access the internet not just from PCs but from laptops, smartphones, games consoles and tablets, the need for faster speeds is increasing. Through our investment in fibre and our launch of KC Lightstream 350 we’re providing tomorrow’s broadband speeds, today.”

Clearly KC has stolen a march on the launch of BT’s rival 330Mbps FTTP service, which is due to surface during early July 2012. On the other hand residents of Hull won’t be able to get BT’s solution as KC remains the dominant telecoms firm in the region.

Customers who do want the absurdly fast connection speed will, perhaps understandably, need to pay through their noses for it. KC claims that its 350Mbps package will set you back £99 per month, although there’s no connection fee (750GB usage allowance / 20Mbps upstream).