DC09-203 November 4, 2009
BT Business recruits first super-fast broadband triallists in Glasgow
BT Business announced today that it has begun the search for the first businesses in Scotland to test drive its new super-fast broadband.
The fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) technology offering download speeds of up to 40 Mb/s will be trialled at Glasgow Halfway exchange, which serves customers in Hillington, Cardonald and Crookston.
BT Business customers taking part in the trial will get free super-fast broadband until March 31, 2010.
Super-fast broadband delivers a powerful internet connection and supports more online users. It can also run multiple bandwidth-hungry applications and improves the experience of services including file sharing, web-based computing and flexible working.
For example, employees could be working on complex graphics while others are using video conferencing. The technology will also offer improved upload speeds of up to 2Mb/s.
Brendan Dick, director, BT Scotland, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Glasgow businesses. Those taking part in the BT Retail trials will be pioneers for a whole new super-fast broadband service and it’s free!
“Once again, Scotland is at the forefront of one of the most important projects to take place in recent years. These trials will really be able to give us a full picture of the way that businesses will want to use the new service.”
Businesses interested in receiving the trial service can call BT Local Business in Glasgow on 0800 6335606 for further information. From early next year BT Local Business will be able to offer firms a demonstration of super-fast broadband through a specially-designed ‘pod’.
BT will be rolling out the super-fast service to homes served by Halfway exchange early next year and will be in contact with customers when the service is live.
Homes and businesses in the Muswell Hill, London and Whitchurch, Cardiff have already signed up with BT Retail to “test-drive” the new technology in two existing trials.
The trials are part of BT Group’s first major phase of the UK’s biggest ever investment programme in super-fast broadband, BT has pledged to spend £1.5 billion by 2012 to ensure 40 per cent of UK homes and businesses – some 10 million premises – can enjoy fibre-based super-fast broadband.
Ends
NB: Most BT customers in the trial area with a PSTN line can get the service. There are some minor exclusions – for example if the customer’s phone line is connected directly to their telephone exchange, as opposed to a street cabinet.
