Openreach to Launch Fiber Service of 300 Mbps

LONDON - Broadband Britain took a step forward today as Openreach, the access network operator of incumbent telco BT, launched its 110 Mbps FTTP service in six locations. Openreach also revealed that it will deliver downstream speeds of up to 300 Mbps by next spring. These speeds will be available on a wholesale basis, supporting a competitive retail market.

Openreach also said it now has approval to roughly double the speeds delivered by its fiber-to-the-cabinet service, which makes up most of its next-generation access network. This will see FTTC downstream speeds roughly double from up to 40 Mbps to up to 80 Mbps.

BT is investing £2.5 billion to make high-speed broadband available to two-thirds of U.K. premises by the end of 2015. More than 5 million premises already have access to FTTC services, and tens of thousands are gaining access every week.

The British government is committed to using next-generation networks as a tool for economic development. Communications Minister Ed Vaizey commented on Openreach's announcement, saying, “High-speed broadband is essential for economic growth, which is why we want the U.K. to have the best superfast broadband in Europe by 2015. Improving the UK’s broadband infrastructure will help our high-tech, digital industries grow. It will ensure the U.K. is an attractive place to start up and base the businesses of tomorrow.”

Openreach, along with several other companies, also plans to bid for public funds to help extend next-generation networks into the rural areas.