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    BT Pledges 'Ultra-Fast' Broadband Speeds

    BT has promised "ultra-fast" broadband speeds of up to 300 megabits by next spring after posting a strong business performance for the last quarter of 2011.

    Its current broadband speeds are closer to 40 megabits per second (Mb), although most of the UK has typical speed of 7.6Mb.

    The roll-out of the new speed, through BT's infrastructure division Openreach, will see faster fibre cables installed between cabinets on streets, homes and businesses.

    The announcement came as the telecoms firm posted an 18% increase in underlying profits, taking them to £628m, in the three months to the end of December.

    The rise came on the back of some vigorous cost-cutting, new contracts and a 95,000 increase in broadband customers.

    Its labour costs fell by 3% over the three months.

    But despite the profits boost, overall revenue fell by 5% to £4.77 bn. This was attributed to a fall in the number of landline calls.

    BT chief executive Ian Livingston said: "We have delivered another quarter of growth in profits and cash flow despite the economic headwinds.

    "Our investment to support our customers and improve our services has resulted in new contract wins around the world, with orders so far this year up over 50% in Asia Pacific and Latin America."

    BT broadband speeds have been limited so far because the cables that connect homes and businesses to the cabinets are typically still copper.

    The roll-out of its 'ultra-fast' broadband service follows a successful trial in St Agnes, Cornwall.

    Openreach chief executive Olivia Garfield said the new initiative was "a significant development for broadband Britain".

    She added: "Essentially, it could make our fastest speeds available wherever we deploy fibre."

     

    2 comments

    • Bev  •  Maidenhead, England  •  3 months ago
      perhaps they should start quoting megabyte and not megabit speeds, big difference
    • glesga boy  •  3 months ago
      our connection gives up to seven meg/bits and around tea-time, an itermittent connection, if the uk wants to compete in a digitial world, one needs to get one's finger ................... ?