BT trials maintain focus on broadband gaps

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BT trials maintain focus on broadband gaps
http://www.btplc.com/news/Articles/Showarticle.cfm?ArticleID=32fead56-9799-4ce3-8fa9-a274f1f22b0c

BT today announced localised trials aimed at improving broadband availability for small pockets of customers currently unable to benefit from high speed internet services over the telephone network.


In September 2004 BT extended the availability of broadband so the vast majority of people whose local telephone exchange has been upgraded for broadband could get at least 512kbit/s ADSL service. Availability rose from 96 per cent of customer lines on a broadband enabled exchange to 99.8 per cent.


BT has maintained a focus on the remaining 0.2 per cent of customers and is set to open trials in areas where broadband availability has remained an issue because of particular local circumstances. BT believes the trials running through to the summer of 2006 will help clarify how and where such new approaches to providing broadband may be appropriate.


Over the next few months, small scale trials will begin in four sites in Yorkshire and five in Northern Ireland. With up to 200 invited trialists taking part, the trials involve installing broadband equipment in locations closer to the customers than the local BT exchange. This should enable some lines which would not previously support broadband to do so.


In a separate trial beginning in December, a similar approach will enable trialists in the Charlton Down area of Dorchester, Dorset, and the Kingswells area of Aberdeen to get broadband service. In these areas a cable technology, known as TPON, is currently used to deliver voice telephony to these areas. This technology does not allow the delivery of ADSL broadband direct from the exchange. The deployment of equipment in street locations during the trial is being investigated as a way of overcoming this issue and enabling customers in such locations to receive broadband.


The aim of these trials is to test the technical, logistical and commercial aspects of providing broadband service in this way.



Cameron Rejali, BT Wholesale managing director for products and strategy, said: "While the vast majority of people can now get access to broadband we haven’t lost sight of the small pockets where access to this vital technology remains an issue. We’re investigating a range of possible solutions which might help us get broadband to small pockets of customers in certain areas.


"We believe the approaches set to be trialled can get ADSL service to such areas but BT Wholesale has to investigate the technical, commercial and operational factors which will influence any future deployment of such solutions."