UK ISP Easynet has announced its intention to unbundle up to 750 telephone exchanges from BT by the end of 2006! The provider currently has 232 covering 20% of households, with the new target taking this to nearly 50%:

And by the end of 2007, Easynet looks set to have unbundled around 1,200 exchanges giving it access to seven in ten UK households.

Details of the firm's ongoing investment in LLU was delivered at a briefing for analysts yesterday. But although it was billed as a strategy update, there was precious little detail about Sky's broadband plans.

A Sky broadband service is due to be unveiled in the second half of 2006 but it's name and pricing details are being kept under wraps.

Understandably EasyNet, like so many LLU investors, is targeting more urbanised areas in the hope of gaining a greater economic return.

Meanwhile the move is likely to be welcomed by EasyNet's wholesale ISP partners and it may also attract some new broadband clients. Having a real alternative to BT is something very important to the market. More @ The Register.