UK Utility Provider GTC Launch 300Mbps FTTH Broadband as Standard

Multi-utility infrastructure provider GTC has today officially launched its 300Mbps (Megabits per second) Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) network, which will become their standard technology of choice across all future new build homes in the United Kingdom.

Admittedly this probably won’t come as much of a surprise to regular ISPreview.co.uk readers because GTC, which works alongside house builders to roll-out gas, electric, water and Internet connectivity into various new builds across the country, has already conducted some FTTH deployments in Upper Heyford and at a few other developments (here).

The provider has also recently signed a TV content deal with BSkyB, which will allow the media giant to offer a full range of their premium TV services, including Sky+ HD, to those homes who take GTC’s fibre optic broadband connectivity (this took place in April 2014) via a Fibre Integrated Reception System (FIRS). We note there’s currently also an offer of Free Sky TV for 12 months on this network.

So it’s perhaps little wonder that GTC has decided to adopt FTTH as a standard solution and one of their most recent developments to support the service is taking place in Peterborough, alongside Bovis Homes (note: this doesn’t appear to be making use of CityFibre’s new fibre optic infrastructure in the city but we could be wrong).

Tom Brough, GTC’s Sales and Marketing Director, said:

“We provide ultrafast broadband right into each and every new home, with speeds and reliability that vastly out-perform those advertising fibre but using copper cables for the ‘last mile’ of the network. We offer a range of service packages to suit individual customers’ requirements and they can choose from one of our unlimited download options offering either 50Mbps, 100Mbps or 300Mbps speeds. This high level of service will be provided to every new property we supply.”

Further details about the service can be found on GTC’s FTTH page, although they don’t seem to like talking about prices in public and there’s no clear indication of whether or not the network is open (wholesale) for use by rival ISPs. In addition, it’s worth pointing out that while GTC has set its official service speeds at 300Mbps, the network itself is still stated to be 1000Mbps capable (not surprising for FTTH).

One thing that seems to have become increasingly evident this year is the pace of FTTH development and number of related operators, which seems to be increasing at a far faster rate than we’ve ever seen before; with the possible exception of BT’s own native FTTP deployments. But BT abandoned their commercial roll-out of native FTTP and now rivals appear to be picking up the slack. It’s not yet enough to be a serious threat to BT but, given time, that could change.