BT offers high-speed broadband for free

Jun 4 2009 by Jo Blakemore, The Journal

TELECOMS giant BT yesterday unveiled moves to offer millions of customers faster broadband speeds for free as well as trialling "super fast" fibre-based technology.

Headline speeds for residential and business customers will more than double.

BT will also offer help in eliminat- ing electrical interference from telephone extension wiring, one of the main causes of slower broadband speeds.

Gavin Patterson, chief executive officer, BT Retail, said: “Unlike other providers, BT is upgrading customers for free.

“High-speed broadband provides a faster and more reliable service that will transform the way we live, work, learn and play.

“We believe the true value of broadband is in helping customers enjoy the exciting new services that it makes possible.

“In line with the Government’s Digital Britain review, we will be making higher speeds more widely available.”

Earlier this week BT was criticised when it was revealed it cut the speed of customers on its cheapest broadband package to below 1Mbps in peak hours when using services like the iPlayer and YouTube.

In a separate move, BT Retail announced it will begin the first trials of super-fast fibre-based broadband in Whitchurch, South Wales and Muswell Hill, London, this summer.

The speed boost to 20Mbps is less than the firm’s originally stated aims of offering up to 24Mbps.

On its website, BT says in tests “we’ve found that only a tiny number of customers can actually get 24Mb”.