News
BT pledges £1.5bn to revamp UK broadband
Andrew Wooden Jul 16 2008, 12:51pm
Communications firm promises massive investment – providing Ofcom allows it to make its money back
Ten million UK homes are set to receive faster broadband by 2012 following BT’s £1.5 billion planned investment in fibre optic cables throughout the country.
The firm does however stipulate that it will only proceed if Ofcom allows it to receive a sufficient return on its investment.
The new fibre optic infrastructure would ensure speeds of up to 100 Mb per second for the millions of affected internet users, and has the potential to provide 1,000 Mb per second connections in the future.
BT says the cash has been accrued by suspending the current share buyback programme, however it may prove pertinent that the planned investment is for the same £1.5 billion figure it announced it would receive from HP following a deal back in May.
“Broadband has boosted the UK economy and is now an essential part of our customers’ lives,” said BT chief executive Ian Livingston. “We now want to make a step-change in broadband provision which will offer faster speeds than ever before. This marks the beginning of a new chapter in Britain’s broadband story.
“This is a bold step by BT and we need others to be just as bold. We are keen to partner with people who share our vision for the next phase of the broadband revolution. We want to work with local and regional bodies to decide where and when we should focus the deployment. Our aim is that urban and rural areas alike will benefit from our investment.”
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Comments
“Good idea”
Posted by: Karen Hill - Jul 16, 2:26pm
An investment on this scale has been a long time coming. The reality is much of the internet infrastructure in this country is not fit for purpose – this should help the situation greatly.
I don't often say this, but well done BT!
“Re: Good idea”
Posted by: Darren - Jul 16, 3:23pm
Yes, but I'm sure they'll be getting paid well at the end of it – there's no such thing as alturism in the world of business!
“Re: Re: Good idea”
Posted by: MICKT - Jul 16, 5:23pm
Great Idea BT ! How long do they think it will take to provide the infrastructure/Network etc. With Engineering Staff levels & Skill levels at there lowest for 20yrs it wont be anytime in the near future. It takes more than just money to implement good ideas, after all it's taken over 100yrs to get a half decent copper network in place.
“Re: Re: Re: Good idea”
Posted by: Castle Computers - Jul 17, 1:47am
Bill gates with his feet up and now BT at last getting there fingers out, I am lucky if i get 1mbps pfft.........
“Re: Re: Re: Re: Good idea”
Posted by: Castle Computers - Jul 17, 1:55am
Also digital technology costs next to nothing , BT opinion of the average persons intelligence is reflected in their adverts,
"The firm does however stipulate that it will only proceed if Ofcom allows it to receive a sufficient return on its investment."............
They will be ripping everyone of yet again, oh well .........