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After government concerns that the UK was embracing the future broadband demands and possibilities, fibre firm H2O are planning to bring super fast broadband into homes. Speeds will be able to reach up to 100MBps in consumers homes and should be available in Bournemouth, Northampton and Dundee this year. It will initially be available in only 600 homes as a trial but if the demand is there it will be developed for 10,000 homes in 14 other towns by 2020. H2O will be able to set up the fibres in a cheaper and faster way than other networks will be able to. There will be no need for digging up roads as they will be installed into existing sewers. Plans to install the fibres will take up to 12 months but can be installed within hours. Traditional faster fibres to be installed may cost up to £70 million to install but H2O estimate it to cost them between 20% and 30% to install. Extra fast broadband will enable consumers to have on demand downloads in high definition in a short time. It will also allow fast and high quality video messaging, home surveillance CCTV and HD gaming. Many other companies are looking into advancing their broadband service but need to evaluate the actual demand for this service before investing millions into the renovations. Virgin Media is working on increasing its bandwidth to up to 50MBps for its customers and BT is considering a £15 million investment into improved fibre connections. BT want all new housing estates to be installed with the faster fibre connections and also plan for it to then be installed in existing homes.
Staff editor, Broadband Section, January 2008 |
