BT fiber-optic network passes 15 million premises

BT says it has now passed 15 million homes with the fiber-optic network it uses to support broadband services delivery via fiber to the home (FTTH) and fiber to the cabinet (FTTC) infrastructure. This figure represents more than half of the homes and businesses within the UK, BT asserts.

The milestone puts BT about 18 months ahead of its original roll out schedule. Openreach, the arm of BT tasked with deploying the network, passes another 100,000 to 200,000 each week, BT says. The fiber cable network should pass approximately 19 million premises by the end of Spring 2014, the company predicts.

Meanwhile, BT also works with councils and “devolved authorities” to deploy fiber outside its projected footprint as part of the Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) program (see “UK broadband program in state aid bottleneck”). The company has signed 18 contracts to deploy fiber under the program so far.

“Fiber broadband can play an important part in stimulating and supporting an economic recovery,” said Openreach chief executive Liv Garfield. “Our investment, together with that of our partners, is helping to generate thousands of jobs and give small businesses the speeds that were previously the preserve of larger ones based in cities. These speeds will help them to become more nimble and responsive and that in turn will help them to expand. We are already seeing this in areas, both urban and rural, where fibre is available.”

For more information on FTTx equipment and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer’s Guide.