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BTs UK Broadband Hits 80% Coverage!

Posted: 09th Sep, 2003 By: MarkJ

BT has today reported that 80% of the UKs residential population (note - NOT GEOGRAPHIC COVERAGE) can now receive broadband ADSL Internet access. BT states that the figure is comparable to the number of homes connected to the mains gas network:

BT WIDENS REACH OF BROADBAND

BT today announced its broadband services have reached exchanges serving four out of five UK homes - comparable to the number of homes connected to the mains gas network.

Paul Reynolds, BT Wholesale chief executive, said: "We have now brought broadband services to exchanges serving 80 per cent of UK homes. Families, schools and businesses alike are enjoying the benefits of always-on, high-speed surfing. This month we'll have as many people connected to exchanges offering broadband as can switch on their mains gas cooker to make the supper."

Speaking at the World Broadband Forum in London today, he said: "This is a tremendous achievement for BT and for the UK. By July last year our broadband rollout programme had reached exchanges serving two-thirds of UK homes. By giving local people a say in where we direct investment through our innovative demand-led registration scheme we have helped spark interest in broadband and the potential it offers.

Tomorrow, when the latest 25 exchanges are switched live for ADSL, we will have delivered high speed internet services to exchanges covering more than 80 per cent of homes. And we're not stopping there.

More than half a million people have registered their interest in getting broadband through our registration scheme, 900 exchanges have hit their demand trigger, more than 500 of these are live for broadband and the rest are in the process of being upgraded. This has brought us to 80 per cent coverage two years ahead of earlier expectation - a great achievement. But we are not letting up with efforts to widen availability and grow the market in enabled areas."

More than 1.25 million people already have ADSL broadband internet connections over BT's network.

BT has committed to bring ADSL broadband to exchanges serving 90 per cent of UK homes when demand triggers are met and trials continue on suitable technological solutions, including wireless and satellite delivery to roll out beyond that.

BT also announced today that, following successful trials, the reach of broadband in enabled exchange areas would be extended to homes within approximately 6km line length of the exchange, subject to line test. This move, extending the previous limit of approximately 5.5km line length, increases the proportion of people who can receive broadband in enabled areas from approximately 94 per cent to 97 per cent.

Paul Reynolds said: "Following trials involving a range of service providers and more than 1000 broadband users we are confident we can extend the reach of broadband and maintain quality of service for users. When this development is introduced on September 24 it will bring another 600,000 homes and businesses within reach of broadband"