BT To Break 10 Million Broadband Connections Barrier

BT has revealed that it will this week break through the ten million broadband connections barrier, exceeding its initial target of five million connections by the end of 2006.

That target was set in April 2002 when there were fewer than 150,000 DSL connections. Broadband availability at that time was 66% whereas it is now more than 99.8%.

The ten million wholesale connections are shared between BT Wholesale and Openreach. BT Wholesale supplies services to more than 8.7 million customers whilst Openreach supplies more than 1.3 million lines to customers via local loop unbundlers.

Ben Verwaayen, Chief Executive of BT Group, said: “2007 is beginning with broadband firmly established at the heart of the UK economy, helping businesses to compete and enriching people’s lives.

“The UK now has over 200 service providers making it the most competitive broadband market in the world. That means fantastic choice and value for consumers, and a constant stream of new and innovative applications.”

Mobile phone company Vodafone launches its own premium broadband service next week, with BT providing the infrastructure to provide the service (see Vodafone To Launch Premium Broadband Service).

BT: 0207 469 2337 www.btplc.com