More broadband customers 'set for super-fast speeds'
More broadband customers 'set for super-fast speeds'
By Tim Bisley (Mon, 8th February 2010)
Broadband users in the UK may be set to benefit from super-fast speeds after BT announced plans to share its underground networks with other providers.
The telecommunications firm intends to open up its vast tunnel system which runs underground across much of Britain to competitors, in order for the fastest broadband to be able to reach all of the country as soon as possible.
BT's chief executive officer Ian Livingston said: "We told Ofcom last year we're willing to provide open access to our ducts and we are working with them on how to achieve it. Open access to all ducts, not just ours, might help BT and others extend coverage and so we would like to see a future government support such a move."
The Conservatives have already hinted that they may make it compulsory for BT to share its tunnels.
Leader David Cameron recently promised the "majority" of Britain would be linked to super-fast broadband by 2017 should his party win power at the upcoming general election.
He may therefore see the sharing of BT's networks as being crucial if this is to be achieved.
BT also intends to spend £1.5 billion on rolling out a fibre-optic broadband network in the UK ahead of the 2012 Olympic Games, so that the country can enjoy the best coverage possible.
The firm last week revealed that it is planning to upgrade broadband facilities in Scotland, after taking the number of rural telephone posts it is in the process of overhauling to 79.
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