BT fibre-optic strategy is ‘risky’
21st July 2008
BT’s plans to implement a super-fast fibre-optic broadband network across the whole of the UK contains an element of risk, according to one expert.
Douglas Hamilton of the Herald has cited the added cost to the consumer for accessing such a service and the logistics of carrying out the work needed to create the proposed £1.5 billion network by 2012 as potential pitfalls.
"Some local authorities may be reluctant to grant this approval because of the chaos created in cities and towns by cable TV companies in the 1990s," Mr Hamilton commented.
He continued: "BT has admitted that consumers will have to pay a premium for superfast broadband service, and this may deter them from buying it."
A row over BT plans developed north of the border last week after Scotland on Sunday reported that a government minister had questioned the benefits to economic growth that the provision of a higher bandwidth would have.
Member of the Internet Services Providers' Association
Member of the Broadband Stakeholder Group