BT says it will converge its fiber and wireless network infrastructures to hasten nationwide deployment of 5G mobile services. The network operator and service provider says it expects to achieve full integration of its fiber, Wi-Fi, and mobile networks by the middle of this decade.
“Over the past 18 months we’ve helped the UK to meet the demands of a pandemic. We must now look ahead to deliver the strongest foundations to drive future growth,” commented Philip Jansen, chief executive of BT Group. “We’re making a uniquely ambitious, long-term commitment to drive high-performance 5G further and faster, and to integrate it at the core with our fiber network for a seamless customer experience. Openreach was first to fiber, EE was first to 5G, and together BT will be first to a fully converged future.”
BT is “building and bonding next-generation fibre and 5G networks simultaneously,” the company stated in a press release. Meanwhile, it is extending its 4G and 5G footprints across the UK, with the expectation that mobile arm EE’s 5G network will cover half of the UK population by early 2023 and, leveraging the expanded 4G infrastructure, will be able to deliver services to more than 90% of UK landmass by 2028.
The UK incumbent operator adds that it will complement this terrestrial network with greater use of drones and Low Earth Orbit satellites. BT signed an agreement with OneWeb recently to further these ambitions.
Meanwhile, BT said it also will continue to invest in such technologies as artificial intelligence, and quantum key distribution, and hollowcore fiber (see “BT testing hollowcore fiber for 5G support”).
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About the Author
Stephen Hardy
Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave
Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.
Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.
He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.
You can connect with Stephen on LinkedIn as well as Twitter.