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UK ISP Zen Internet Launch 40Mb Fibre Optic FTTC Broadband Packages

Posted: 28th Sep, 2010 By: MarkJ

One of the markets most reliable ISPs, Zen Internet UK, has today revealed the full detail and costing for its new range of 'up to' 40Mb fibre optic ( FTTC ) based broadband packages. However the pricing for Zen's packages, which start at a hefty £30 +vat (£35.25 inc. VAT) per month (50GB usage allowance), are likely to place the ISP at a disadvantage against its cheaper competition.

Andrew Saunders, Zen's Head of Product Management and Marketing, said:

"We believe the impact of the introduction of the new fibre optic broadband service will be revolutionary for both business and residential users. Small and medium businesses stand to benefit most with fibre optic broadband providing high speed bandwidth that was previously only available through expensive lease line solutions, that were the preserve of larger organisations.

We have developed these new services which use fibre optic cabling for part of the network to deliver faster broadband to homes and businesses. It is important to us that we develop these new services in line with our mission to provide the best ISP service in the UK.

The introduction of fibre based broadband is more significant than the change from dial-up to broadband and we are working hard to ensure we provide all our customers with the same level of service and support that they expect from us for these new services."

Customers will also need to pay a standard one-off activation fee of £75 +vat, which includes a VDSL modem and service installation. The other feature highlights are UK based phone support, unlimited uploads, a choice of 1-8 Static IP addresses, 11 POP3 emails, email anti-virus, 2GB of webspace, backup dialup and webmail. However in comparison to its rivals Zen appears, at least on the surface, to be less attractive.

Example 1: IDNet - Home Plus Fibre - £27.99 per month
Download Speed: up to 40Mbps
Upload Speed: up to 10Mbps
Download Cap: 30GB Peak + 90GB Offpeak (120GB) / month
Installation: £47

Example 2: Fast.co.uk FTTC-45GB - £26.99 per month
Download Speed: up to 40Mbps
Upload Speed: up to 10Mbps
Download Cap: 45GB
Installation: £51.70

Example 3: ADSL24 Fibre 30 - £24.99 per month
Download Speed:Up to 40Mb
Upload Speed: Up to 2Mb
Download Cap: 30GB Peak - Unlimited Off-Peak Usage (midnight-8am and all weekend)
Installation: £42.00

Example 4: BT-Infinity Option 2 - £24.99 (18 month contract)
Download Speed:Up to 40Mb
Upload Speed: Up to 10Mb
Download Cap: Unlimited (FUP)
Installation: FREE

* Prices above include VAT.

At present FTTC coverage, which is being rolled out by BT Openreach, is still extremely limited and will remain so until it reaches approximately 40% of the UK by 2012 and 66% by 2015. BT expect to have around 1.5 million premises covered by the end of this year (reaching 30% of Zen's customers).

Zen will be contacting existing customers when fibre becomes available in their area and offering an opportunity to upgrade to the new services.

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