UK's BT asserts FTTP first

British Telecom claims to be leading the fiber revolution in the UK after installing what it says is the first fiber to the premises (FTTP) connection in the country.

 

The telco states it can now deliver maximum download speeds of 100-Mbps and uplink rates of 15-Mbps to several offices housed in a building in the city of Milton Keynes. High speed Wi-Fi is also available in communal areas and meeting rooms within the site.

 

“We are at the forefront of the fiber revolution for businesses in the UK and this is a real milestone in being able to provide the best technology to all types of customer,” Lisa Ravenscroft, head of fiber broadband and value added services at BT Business, says. She predicts the new technology will be an “enabler for organizations of all sizes and types,” in using new technologies including videoconferencing and remote data backup.

 

Despite talking up the success of the Milton Keynes scheme, BT is cagey on detailing where the next FTTP networks will be deployed. Company information states the technology requires specialist engineers, which may stymie progress. However, the telco is committed to deploying the technology to two thirds of UK premises by end 2014, as part of a £2.5 billion ($3.99 billion) investment.