BT is to invest up to £2.5bn in the technology, which could become available to around two-thirds of UK premises by 2015 if investment conditions are favourable.

Fibre to street cabinets offers download speeds of up to 40Mb/s, potentially rising to 60Mb/s in the future, and upload capability of up to 10Mb/s. Even faster speeds are possible if the fibre goes direct to the home or premises. The super-fast speeds will power new business applications and more sophisticated home and entertainment services.

BT’s planned investment is one of the largest in the world that doesn’t rely on public sector funding and where the network is open to all service providers on an equal basis.

While BT estimates that the great majority of premises in upgraded areas will be able to access fibre-based broadband, it is likely a minority will not initially be able to receive services for a variety of technical and commercial reasons. BT’s local network business Openreach, which is deploying the technology, is actively looking at alternative solutions for these locations.

Brendan Dick (right) BT director for Scotland, said: “This is an exciting development for Bothwell and Newton Mearns. Households and businesses switching to super fast broadband will soon be experiencing internet as they have never experienced it before.

“The advent of BT fibre-based broadband in parts of Bothwell and Newton Mearns will support local jobs and the local economy providing businesses with a technological edge in the current difficult climate. As our roll-out of super-fast, fibre-based broadband gathers pace, many more people in other parts of the country can look forward to faster speeds in the pipeline.

"We are very open to holding discussions with public sector organisations, such as regional development agencies and local councils, to explore ways of bringing super-fast, fibre-based broadband to locations where the economics are more challenging. BT is the only company consistently investing in a range of broadband technologies across Scotland.”

BT's fibre plans build on existing initiatives such as its next generation broadband programme, which has already placed faster speeds of up to 20Mb/s within reach of around a third of Scottish homes and businesses using the existing copper network. The rollout is continuing, with plans in place to reach more than 42% coverage by Spring 2011.

Hang in there Barra: nag for backhaul

Prior to end of April Peter Peacock MSP reported very recent meetings with BT, with Connected Communities, HIE, and the Comhairle. These were to raise continuing issues about current services, and also to look for ways forward to significantly improve broadband services.
 
"BT" he writes "have confirmed they have no current plans to upgrade any more exchanges in the islands, so I have tackled them about what I believe they need to think about to assist consumers in the islands who want access to BT services.  It is clear that BT think about the ‘big picture’ of broadband strategy and that they really do not have an adequate response to local communities with particular problems.  

"For example, to date, they have been unable to say what they might be able to do if a local community approached them to upgrade exchanges with funds that might be available to local communities for broadband through the LEADER, or Scottish Rural Development Programme.

"Following discussions with Connected Communities, HIE and the Comhairle it is clear that one of the key issues standing in the way of improving broadband is what is called the ‘backhaul’ capacity of links off the island.  Basically the links are not sufficient to carry significantly improved broadband speeds to Connected Communities customers.

"Guess who controls the off island backhaul?

"BT!!
 
"It isn't good enough to just identify the problem, a strategy is needed to sort it.  I have urged Connected Communities, working with HIE and the Comhairle, to increase the urgency with which this is tackled.  There are a number of potential solutions and, coming on stream, a number of potential funding sources.
 
"I will be taking up this backhaul issue with BT.  I have already raised it with UK Ministers under the Digital Britain strategy they are developing and I am seeking a meeting with the new Chief Executive of Digital Britain to try and make sure this is one of the issues on their agenda to utilise the £200m they have available to advance better broadband.  When speaking to BT about this I will be stressing the need for them to take this issue much more seriously."

A general submission to the Digital Britain consultation on future strategy